Plans for Suffolk-Netherlands subsea electricity cable enter public consultation
LionLink project aims to deliver cleaner energy for 2.5 million British homes
Updated proposals for a subsea electricity cable connecting Suffolk and The Netherlands have been published by National Grid Ventures (NGV).
The LionLink interconnector is set to be one of the first projects of its kind, providing up to two gigawatts of cleaner electricity – enough to power approximately 2.5 million British homes. The cable will connect an offshore wind farm to electricity grids in Great Britain and The Netherlands.
An eight-week public consultation on the plans will run from 13th January to 10th March 2026, offering the community a chance to share further feedback ahead of NGV’s development consent application to the Planning Inspectorate.
LionLink aims to integrate offshore wind generation with cross-border electricity connections, reducing infrastructure costs and the number of individual shore landings. According to NGV, it will also help build a more resilient and flexible energy system while contributing to the UK government’s renewable energy objectives.
The cable's UK section will land underground at Walberswick, with no visible infrastructure following project completion. NGV has stated that 84% of the cable’s path will be offshore. Construction will not take place on the beach, reflecting community concerns raised during non-statutory consultations in 2022 and 2023.
Gareth Burden, Project Director for LionLink, commented: “Our plans for LionLink have moved on significantly since we first announced the project. We’ve worked hard to ensure our approach will deliver real, lasting benefits to the economy with as little disruption as possible.
Everyone who took the time to comment on our initial proposals since the 2022 and 2023 non-statutory consultations has helped us to refine our plans and consider the concerns of the community.
We are coordinating with other developers in Suffolk on a regular basis so that where possible, we can work together to ensure construction is carried out in manageable sections and we can avoid long-term disruption in any one area.”
Public information events about LionLink will be held at venues close to the proposed cable route, allowing attendees to hear how community feedback from earlier consultations shaped the updated plans.
NGV has over 40 years of experience in developing and operating interconnectors, including six current connections with partners across Belgium, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, and Norway. Efforts in Suffolk include collaboration with other local developers and community support initiatives.
The consultation runs until 10th March 2026, and members of the public are encouraged to contribute.