Sea Link undersea power cable approved to carry clean electricity to 2 million homes

The government has approved Sea Link, a major undersea power cable between Suffolk and Kent that will help more clean, homegrown electricity reach homes and businesses across the country.

Developed by National Grid, the 2 GW link will be able to carry enough electricity to power the equivalent of 2 million homes, moving power from where it is generated to where it is needed.

Why the grid matters

Britain is generating more and more electricity from renewable sources such as offshore wind, but the grid has not always been able to carry it to where people live and work. When the network cannot take the power, generators are paid to switch off, and that cost ends up on household bills.

By easing pressure on the grid, the government says Sea Link will help reduce the need for those payments, make the network more resilient and cut wasted energy, helping to bring down costs for consumers.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: "Britain's future rests on rebuilding the national grid so renewable energy and businesses can connect, driving economic growth and reducing our exposure to volatile global fossil fuel markets which are driving up all our bills.

"By rewiring Britain we get homegrown power to where it's needed, we make sure the grid is resilient for the future and we bring bills down for good."

Money for local communities

National Grid will deliver a community benefits scheme, with more than £1 million each for community funds in Kent and Suffolk. The money could support local priorities such as improving community facilities, enhancing green spaces and developing local skills.

Sea Link runs mainly offshore, between landing points on the Suffolk and Kent coasts.

A wider push for clean power

The approval builds on the Prime Minister's announcement of the Great British Grid, a publicly owned body within Great British Energy that will bring together public and private investment to speed up upgrades to the network.

The government is also bringing in reforms to let developers and businesses build their own grid connections where appropriate, to reduce delays and costs. It says 39 nationally significant clean energy projects have now been approved since July 2024.

What it means for Birmingham

Birmingham is a long way from the Suffolk and Kent coasts, but it is connected to the same national grid. A stronger, more efficient network means more of the clean power generated around the country can reach homes and businesses in the city, and the government argues it will help bring bills down for everyone.