The National Grid's proposed converter station and substation on Minster Marshes is 90,000 square meters (9 hectares) and 28 meters tall. The station will include external equipment like lightning protection, safety rails, and ventilation

The National Grid Sea Link project aims to connect wind-generated electricity from Suffolk to Kent via undersea cables.

Electricity is transmitted via HVDC (high voltage direct current) which allows for efficient power transmission over long distances.

The Minster converter station - an HVDC converter station is a specialised type of substation which converts DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) ready for use on the electricity grid.

The works are proposed as:

A landfall point on the Kent coast at Pegwell Bay

A TJB approximately 800 m inshore to transition from offshore HVDC cable to onshore HVDC cable, before continuing underground for approximately 2 km to a proposed new converter station (below)

A 2 GW HVDC converter station, up to 28 m high plus external equipment (such as lightning protection & railings for walkways), near Minster. A new substation would be located immediately adjacent

Removal of approximately 2.2 km of existing HVAC overhead line, and installation of approximately 3.5 km of new HVAC overhead line from the converter station and substation near Minster and the existing Richborough to Canterbury overhead line. 

We do not have specific dates yet but estimated dates of what is happening with the planning system can be found under planning timeline.

Wildlife will be disturbed and removed from their unique habitat as the works will go through many protected wildlife sites.

National Grid have committed to 10% Biodiversity Net Gain if the project goes ahead.

A small area of mitigation has been proposed near Richborough Energy park to attempt to balance against the loss.

National Grid are proposing to close or divert a number of footpaths, final confirmation has not yet been agreed.

There are no residential properties within the 500 meter requirement of the Minster Converter Station that are eligible for payment.

The new high voltage line is also outside this zone for all residents.

Payment explained:

Under powers in the government’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill March 2025, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure will get electricity bill discounts.

The community fund is not tied to individual household proximity but rather to the presence of new transmission infrastructure within or near a community. The fund aims to support broader community projects in areas hosting such infrastructure. The eligibility criteria from the government’s guidance don’t specify a strict distance threshold like the 500-meter rule for bill discounts. Instead, it’s about the "host community"—typically the local authority area or parishes affected by the project. Thanet is yet to be confirmed.