​National Grid has formally submitted plans for a new electricity cable linking Kent and Suffolk. The Sea Link project would see 90 miles (145km) of subsea cable laid beneath the North Sea, designed to carry more renewable and low-carbon energy to where it is needed most.

The cable would make landfall near Sandwich in Kent and between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh in Suffolk. Substations and converter stations are also planned for Minster, near Ramsgate, and at a site near Saxmundham.

The application has been sent to the Planning Inspectorate, which now has 28 days to decide whether to accept it for examination. National Grid said the submission followed a series of consultations held between 2022 and 2024. Residents and local authorities across Kent and Suffolk were invited to share their views, which the company said had helped shape the final proposals.

The Sea Link forms part of National Grid's wider efforts to upgrade the electricity transmission network. As more offshore wind, interconnectors and nuclear power come online, there is a growing need to ensure the grid can transport this energy efficiently to homes and businesses.

If approved, the project would support the UK's transition to a net zero energy system by strengthening the network and enabling greater use of renewable sources. The proposed subsea route is intended to reduce the need for above-ground infrastructure and provide a direct connection between the east and south-east of England.

National Grid has said it will continue to work with local communities and stakeholders as the project moves through the planning process.

Sea Link is one of several projects being developed to future-proof the UK's electricity network and meet rising demand while supporting climate targets. A decision on whether the application proceeds is expected within weeks.