National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), part of the National Grid Group, is proposing enhancements to the electricity network with its Eastern Green Links 3 and 4 (EGL 3 and 4) proposals. These schemes propose two new primarily offshore high voltage electricity links, with converter stations and associated onshore infrastructure between Scotland and England.
In England, the proposed onshore elements of EGL 3 and 4 would be in the districts of East Lindsey, Boston, and South Holland, in Lincolnshire, and the district of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, in Norfolk. NGET have confirmed that, following evaluation of their cable routeing options which they presented previously, they are progressing with the option which passes through Cambridgeshire, making Cambridgeshire County Council a host authority for the scheme.
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The council submitted a response to the Targeted Consultation in May 2026. The council continues to meet with National Grid as they prepare to submit their application in August 2026.
Overview
The scheme will be determined by the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). This project is part of the Great Grid Upgrade.
Responsibility for accepting and examining the NSIP application rests with the Secretary of State and not the local authorities, who are identified as statutory consultees, or ‘host’ authorities, in the NSIP process.
Due to NGET’s proposed routeing option decisions, Cambridgeshire County Council is one of 8 host authorities involved in this NSIP project. The other host authorities are:
- Fenland District Council
- Lincolnshire County Council
- East Lindsey District Council
- Boston Borough Council
- South Holland District Council
- Norfolk County Council
- King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
Have your say
It is important to note that as the ‘host’ planning authorities are not the determining authorities, any correspondence in relation to this matter needs to be directed to NGET in the first instance and then the Planning Inspectorate.
For further details of the NSIP process for this project, please visit the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) website.
Details of the proposal for the EGL 3&4 schemes, including any consultation events being held, are available on NGET's website for this project.
Consultation timeline
Statutory consultation: 13 May to 23 June 2025
Statutory Consultation launched on 13 May 2025 and ran until 23 June 2025.
The consultation documents can be viewed online via the document libraries of the EGL 3 and EGL 4 project website and of the Grimsby to Walpole Project website.
Targeted consultation: 9 April to 11 May 2026
NGET identified the need for additional land take since undertaking their statutory consultation in Summer 2025, and undertook an additional targeted additional consultation. The consultation ran from Thursday 9 April 2026 until Monday 11 May 2026.
The EGL 3 and 4 Projects and the Grimsby to Walpole Project are being consented separately, however as some infrastructure is being included within the consents for both projects, the targeted consultation was held jointly to streamline engagement for those common areas in the Walpole area.
The consultation documents can be viewed online via the document libraries of the EGL 3 and EGL 4 project website and of the Grimsby to Walpole Project website.
More information can also be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s webpage for this project.
