A step closer to low carbon energy for millions of homes and businesses
2023 has been a year of milestones and firsts for the Hinkley Connection Project. We'd like to thank all of the communities for their patience over the last year as we move closer to connecting over six million UK homes and businesses to home grown, low carbon energy.
Every month brought National Grid closer to completion of the project. Here's a summary of those highlights.
January-February
Stringing works in Avonmouth - where the wires were installed onto the 27 new lattice pylons - was completed ahead of schedule. We used a new method to install the wires, meaning less scaffold and less disruption to local businesses and roads.
March
Successful energisation of 36 of the world’s first T-pylons between Bridgwater and Loxton in Somerset. High-voltage electricity - up to 400,000 volts - is now passing through the T-pylons, a newly constructed electricity substation at Sandford and 8.5km of underground cables through the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
April
Work restarted in Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve after the annual programmed pause during bird nesting season. Teams installed the wires on the two T-pylons within the reserve, constructed last year.
We are closer and closer to delivering low carbon electricity to millions of people across the south west
May
We celebrated a total of 2,500 trees planted on the project to date and cheered a special 'flying' visit from the iconic Flying Scotsman which passed under our new T-pylons as part if its centenary celebrations.
June
We welcomed pylon super-fan Zak and his mum Marie to site. Zak, who is autistic has been fascinated by pylons since he was 4 years-old. The visit formed part of his programme of work experience industry days. Also in June, our commitment to supporting the communities we are working closest to was recognised with an international award.
July
We took delivery of a huge transformer into Bridgwater Substation as part of modifications support the upgrading of the existing Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead electricity line.
August
Residents in Nailsea waved goodbye to lattice pylons close to homes and gardens as the last of 23 pylons were removed between Nailsea and Portishead, including from in and around Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve to make way for the new high voltage line. Construction of all 116 T-pylons completed.
September
The gentle giants of the River Avon - two 90 metre tall pylons that have stood watch at the mouth of the river for over 90 years were dismantled by crane.
October
Eagle-eyed teams at Bridgwater Substation spotted and protected a group of great crested newts.
November
We celebrated the official opening of the Strawberry Line Sandford Link welcoming over 200 people to a superhero-themed community event. We've built the new multi-use path, which means users avoid a busy local road, as part of the construction of Sandford Substation.
December
Confirmation that over half a million local school children are now benefiting from the Hinkley Education Fund, which awards grants of up to £1,250 for schools to buy the latest STEM equipment.
Steven Haskayne, Project Director for National Grid said:
"Over the last year, our project team and contractors have made tremendous progress on works across the Hinkley Connection route getting us closer to delivering homegrown, low carbon electricity to millions of people across the UK. Thank you to all of the local communities for their patience as we continue to build this critical infrastructure"
Take a look at our work over the last year in pictures below.
