SeaLink Consultation
Aldeburgh, our Heritage Coast & the surrounding villages face unprecedented risk from the industrialisation proposed by Sealink.
Background information
The UK Government has set out a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and an ambition to increase energy from offshore wind to 50GW by 2030. To do this, up to six energy projects have been directed by National Grid (NG) to connect in this area to a new proposed substation at Friston (consented but still subject to Judicial Review in the Courts). This would not be necessary if NG had followed their own reports of 2015 and 2020 to complete an offshore grid.
This consultation is to get your views on SeaLink – a new 2GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable (the sea version of pylons) between Suffolk and Kent. Proposed because NG has failed to invest in or plan how they will transmit the large volume of energy to be generated off our coast to where it is needed down in the South-East/London.
The SeaLink consultation is open from Tuesday 24th October to Monday 18th December.
What is being proposed
- Up to three Converter Stations could be built on the outskirts of Saxmundham. Each converter would take up 5 hectares (7 football pitches) and be 24m high.
- Motorway width cable trenches across unspoilt rural land through Knodishall, Friston and Aldeburgh.
- Landfall between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness (2 hectares) through the RSPB North Warren reserve, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and protected habitats.
What next?
Don’t destroy Aldeburgh. There is no need. The government’s targets can be achieved without risking our tourism economy, fragile eroding coastline, the internationally designated environment and wildlife. Everything we value and that has made us what and who we are today, is threatened!
We encourage all local groups, organisations, businesses and individuals that live in, work in and/or visit this area to attend the drop-in exhibitions, and to submit a response before 18th December. PLEASE ACT NOW!
Public information exhibitions:
- Wednesday 8th November 12:30-5:30pm and Thursday 9th November 11am-4:30pm at The Old Generator Station, Kings Field Aldeburgh, IP15 5HY.
- Friday 24th November 1pm-6pm and Saturday 25th November 11am-4pm at the Market Hall, Saxmundham IP17 1AF.
Documents are available from Aldeburgh Library, or online Sea Link | National Grid ET or request copies contact@sealink.nationalgrid.com, Tel 0808 1349569.
Look out for pop-up stalls over the next few weeks and our public meeting in December, and see the following websites for more details and links.
