Prysmian Announces Social Value Milestones as Part of Eastern Green Link 1 Project
Prysmian, the world leader in the energy transition, has today unveiled the significant positive impact it has delivered to local communities, in 2025, as part of the Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) project.
While the EGL1 project is a critical piece of national infrastructure—connecting the energy systems of Scotland and England via a high-voltage subsea link—Prysmian’s focus has extended far beyond technical delivery. Over the past year, the company has successfully supported social, economic, and environmental benefits through the heart of the regions it serves.
Empowering young people and local economies
In 2025, Prysmian colleagues dedicated nearly 150 hours to promoting career pathways in schools, supporting two major careers fairs at Dene Academy in County Durham. By sharing real-world engineering experiences and supporting 63 combined weeks of apprenticeships and internships, the project is also actively creating clear pathways for the next generation of energy professionals.
Economic resilience has remained a core priority, with over £239,000 spent directly with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), last year, ensuring that the project’s financial investment stays within the local community.
Strategic partnerships for the Environment
Recognising that environmental protection is most effective when led by local experts, Prysmian has worked in close coordination with key conservation bodies.
- The Scottish Seabird Centre and Durham Wildlife Trust: Teams participated in six beach cleans, removing dozens of bags of litter to protect vital coastal habitats.
Alberto Pirovano, Project Director at Prysmian for EGL1, said "At Prysmian, we view the Eastern Green Link 1 as a partnership with the UK public. While our technical work ensures energy security, our social value work ensures community resilience. Seeing our engineers in classrooms and our teams working alongside the Scottish Seabird Centre reminds us that we aren't just building a cable route—we are becoming part of the local fabric."
Looking ahead to 2026: a sustained commitment
As the project moves into 2026, Prysmian is deepening its roots with several new initiatives:
- Education: Exploring STEM outreach with East Lothian works and supporting careers fairs with Seaham High School and Dunbar Grammar.
- Social procurement: Exploring a pioneering partnership with the social enterprise Ethstat to procure sustainable coffee, with proceeds ringfenced to support local dementia care in Dunbar and County Durham.
- New partnerships: Formalising support for the East Durham Veterans Trust and the Ribbon Academy’s Breakfast Club, alongside continued engagement with the East Lammermuir Community Council.
By combining investment in skills, local business, and environmental protection, Prysmian is ensuring that the EGL1 project leaves a legacy of stronger, more resilient communities for years to come.
Notes to Editors
About Prysmian and EGL1 Social Value
Prysmian is the main contractor for the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of the HVDC cable system for EGL1. As part of this major infrastructure project, Prysmian is dedicated to delivering significant social value by investing in local communities, supporting local employment and skills, and promoting environmental sustainability throughout the project lifecycle.
About Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1)
EGL1 is a vital national infrastructure project that will see the construction of a new high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical cable link between the Torness area in East Lothian, Scotland, and the Hawthorn Pit area in County Durham, England. Developed by National Grid Electricity Transmission and SP Energy Networks (SPEN), the link will play a crucial role in delivering clean energy to homes and businesses across the UK by increasing the nation’s capacity to transport renewable power across the country.