Sea Link - Overview & Latest Position
National Grid's electricity connection and what it means for Cliffsend
Page updated: 1st November 2026
National Grid's Sea Link is a major new electricity transmission connection between Kent and Suffolk.
The project will create a new 2GW high-voltage electricity link, approximately 138km long and primarily offshore. National Grid says Sea Link is needed to increase the capacity of the electricity transmission network and help move electricity, including power generated by offshore wind, around the country.
Although much of Sea Link will be beneath the sea, the Kent end of the project will have a direct impact upon Cliffsend, Pegwell Bay, the former hoverport, Minster Marshes and the surrounding area.
The subsea cables will make landfall at Pegwell Bay, immediately alongside Cliffsend. The former hoverport will be used to provide access to works in the intertidal area, underground cables will continue inland towards Minster, and a major new converter station and substation will be constructed near Minster.
There will also be significant changes to the existing overhead electricity network.
Where is the project now?
On 30th October 2026, the Government granted development consent for National Grid's Sea Link project.
The decision follows the formal Development Consent Order (DCO) Examination, which took place between 5th November 2025 and 5th May 2026.
During the Examination, interested parties, including Cliffsend Parish Council, local authorities, environmental organisations and members of the public, were able to submit evidence and participate in hearings.
The Examining Authority submitted its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on 30th July 2026, with the Government subsequently approving the project on 30th October 2026.
The decision means that Sea Link can now progress towards construction, subject to the requirements and arrangements associated with the consent.
National Grid currently expects construction to begin in early 2027, with the overall project scheduled for completion by approximately 2031.
The Government's decision and supporting documentation are available here:
View the Government's Sea Link DCO decision
Cliffsend Parish Council's position
Cliffsend Parish Council remains opposed to the Sea Link proposals affecting our area.
We are disappointed that the Government has granted development consent despite the concerns raised by local communities and organisations throughout the consultation and Examination process.
We recognise the national need to strengthen Britain's electricity transmission network and support the transition towards cleaner and renewable energy. However, recognising that need does not mean accepting that every proposed route or location is appropriate.
Our concerns remain regarding the choice of Pegwell Bay as the Kent landfall, the environmental sensitivity of Pegwell Bay and the former hoverport, effects upon Minster Marshes, the scale of the converter station and substation near Minster, changes to the overhead electricity network and the potential effects of several years of construction upon Cliffsend and the surrounding area.
Although the decision has now been made, our involvement has not ended.
The Parish Council will continue to represent Cliffsend and its residents throughout the next stages of the project.
Our priorities will include seeking appropriate construction traffic arrangements, protecting residential roads including Sandwich Road, minimising disruption from noise, dust and construction activity, safeguarding access to local areas and ensuring residents receive clear information about works affecting the village.
We will also continue to engage with National Grid, relevant authorities and our Member of Parliament to raise concerns, seek appropriate safeguards and ensure Cliffsend's interests are represented.
We recognise that the decision may be disappointing for many residents. However, engaging with National Grid as the project progresses does not change the Parish Council's opposition. It allows us to continue challenging proposals and seeking practical measures to protect our community.
Explore the Sea Link proposals
We have divided our Sea Link information into separate pages so that residents can easily find the information most relevant to them.
What is National Grid proposing?
Find out what will be constructed in Kent, including the Pegwell Bay landfall, use of the former hoverport, underground cables, Minster converter station and changes to the overhead electricity network.
Click here to find out about National Grid's proposal
Pegwell Bay, the Hoverport & Wildlife
Find out why Pegwell Bay, the former hoverport and Minster Marshes are environmentally important, the concerns raised by conservation organisations and the measures National Grid has proposed to reduce environmental effects.
Click here to find out about Pegwell Bay, the Hoverport & Wildlife
Sea Link works happening now
Archaeological excavation, ground investigations and other Sea Link-related activity have already been taking place in the surrounding area.
Find out more about these activities, the permissions obtained for works undertaken before the DCO decision and how residents can report concerns about works affecting their local area.
Click here to find out about current Sea Link works
Cliffsend Parish Council – our involvement and what happens next
Find out how the Parish Council has participated in the Sea Link process, the concerns we have raised and the safeguards and commitments we will continue to seek following the Government's decision.
This includes construction traffic, access to the former hoverport, environmental protections, disruption to residents, communication arrangements and potential community benefits.
Click here to find out about our involvement and what happens next
Previous consultations, notices and documents
Sea Link has developed considerably since National Grid's first consultations, and some of the information previously published on this website is therefore no longer current.
We have retained our previous documents as a public record of the development of the project, previous consultation stages and Cliffsend Parish Council's involvement.
Click here to view our archived information and files about Sea Link
Please note that consultation periods, Interested Party registration periods, representation deadlines and Examination hearing dates referred to in these historic documents have now closed.
Residents looking for information about the approved project and its ongoing development should use the updated pages above.