More electricity cables proposed for Lincolnshire

The latest proposal would bring renewable electricity from Scotland to Lincolnshire using cables

Proposals have been unveiled for another set of electricity cables to come ashore on the Lincolnshire coast.

The project would bring power 400km (250 miles) from a Scottish windfarm along a cable laid on the sea bed which would then be routed underground when it reached land.

The cable would terminate at two grid connection points in central and southern Lincolnshire.

Senior council officials said the plans "will irreversibly change the character" of the county.

A large electricity cable drum being used on a previous project in Lincolnshire

The cable would be laid from the proposed Ossian Array floating windfarm, which is 84km (52 miles) off the east coast of Scotland.

The latest cable plans were discussed at Lincolnshire County Council's (LCC) executive committee meeting on Wednesday.

Colin Davie, executive councillor for economic development, environment and planning, expressed concern about the cumulative impact.

“This is industrialisation of the Lincolnshire coast on a scale we have never seen before," he said.

Prior to this latest proposal, National Grid announced plans for three electricity cable schemes as part of what it calls The Great Grid Upgrade.

They include an overland pylon route from Grimsby to Walpole, two underground cable routes running 100km (62 miles) across Lincolnshire and five large electricity substations.

LCC has made a formal objection to the pylon scheme.

“If all these proposals were taken as one application by a planning authority, it would be refused due to the sheer scale of it and the impact, irreversibly changing the character of the county," Mr Davie said.

“Instead, we proposed that National Grid look to install this infrastructure offshore.

"This would be the most sustainable, secure, and cost-effective option and would mean the power could come onshore precisely where it is most needed, and not channelled through vast swathes of the countryside," he added.

Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire coast is one of the areas where cables could be brought ashore

David Willson, senior project manager for Ossian Offshore Wind Farm said: “With a capacity of up to 3.6GW, enough to power up to six million homes annually, Ossian’s scale makes it a game changer in the UK renewable energy sector and a critical driving force behind the journey to net zero and creating greater energy security.

“Ultimately the decision for onshore design of the GB electricity network lies with National Grid Electricity Systems Operator."

A spokesperson for National Grid said: “Our proposals in Lincolnshire are a critical part of the new electricity infrastructure required for the UK to reach net zero.

"By developing these projects, we will be able to connect new sources of low-carbon energy to homes and business across Lincolnshire and beyond so that everyone has access to cleaner, more affordable electricity."

A number of public consultation events are being planned in Lincolnshire.

Mr Wilson added: “Ossian is fully committed to listening and engaging with the local community throughout the process and providing regular updates."

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