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 project, jointly developed by National Grid and Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN), will be approximately 340 kilometers long and will be capable of carrying up to 2 GW of electricity in either direction, enough to power around two million homes.
In North Wales, the proposals consist of four key elements, including a circa 260-kilometer offshore HVDC cable route to a landfall location on the Gwynedd coastline at Caernarfon Bay, approximately 25 kilometers of underground HVDC cable from landfall to a new converter station, a new converter station within two kilometers of the existing Pentir substation, including an underground cable connection, and an extension to the Pentir substation and associated works to enable connection to the grid.
The first stage of public consultation in North Wales started on June 23 and will run until July 21. It will see a range of in-person public information events and online webinars, to allow communities and stakeholders to find out more about the project, meet the project team to ask questions and provide feedback to help shape the proposals.
As the project development is at an early stage with no route or design finalized, the feedback will help shape and refine the proposals ahead of further consultation.
“Western Link 2 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,” said Leandro Vacirca , Project Director for National Grid.
“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 minimise 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.”
SPEN is responsible for the Scottish elements of the project and carried out its first consultation in November 2025.