The UK National Grid has launched a public consultation in North Wales for Western Link 2, a new subsea electricity connection that will link Scotland and Wales.
The Western Link 2 project, a collaborative initiative by the National Grid and Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN), is an ambitious endeavor aimed at enhancing the UK’s electricity infrastructure. Stretching approximately 340 kilometers, this subsea cable will have the capacity to transport up to 2 GW of electricity in both directions, enough to power around two million homes.
Focusing on the North Wales segment, the project encompasses four critical components. These include a roughly 260-kilometer offshore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable that will make landfall at Caernarfon Bay, a 25-kilometer underground HVDC cable running from the landfall to a new converter station, the establishment of a converter station within two kilometers of the existing Pentir substation, and the extension of the Pentir substation along with necessary accompanying works to facilitate a grid connection.
The first phase of public consultation kicked off on June 23 and will run until July 21. This initial engagement is designed to gather feedback and inform the community about the proposed developments. A range of public information events and online webinars will be held, allowing community members and stakeholders to learn more about the project, engage with the project team, ask questions, and provide valuable insights to shape the future of the proposals.
With the project still in its early stages and no finalized route or design, the feedback collected during this consultation phase will be pivotal. It aims to refine the proposals, ensuring they are well-informed by the needs and concerns of local communities.
Leandro Vacirca, Project Director for National Grid, emphasizes the significance of the Western Link 2 project. He states, “This project will play an important role in delivering the electricity infrastructure Wales needs for a secure and more efficient energy future. As demand grows, it is essential we make better use of renewable energy sources by upgrading the electricity network so that clean energy isn’t wasted.”
Vacirca further reinforces the importance of community involvement by saying, “We are seeking feedback on early-stage proposals which will give communities and stakeholders the opportunity to influence our plans. Local knowledge is important in the development of Western Link 2 and will help us minimize impacts wherever possible. We also want local communities to benefit from the transition to cleaner, renewable energy through local jobs, skills, and supply chain opportunities.”
On the Scottish side, SPEN has already conducted its first consultation back in November 2025, focusing on the project’s related elements in Scotland. This collaborative approach is designed to ensure that both ends of the interconnector are developed in tandem, maximizing efficiency and benefit to all parties involved.
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