Sheffield Cable Replacement
National Grid is planning to replace three existing underground cable routes between Pitsmoor, Wincobank and Templeborough substations.
Cables are a key component of our electricity transmission system. They transfer electricity between substations and onwards to homes and businesses. Over time, cables can degrade. If no action is taken to replace aging cables, they are at greater risk of failure. Such failures can lead to system outages, safety incidents and increased maintenance costs.
Some of our cables in Sheffield were installed over 40 years ago and are approaching the end of their lifecycle. This essential work needs to be completed in order to ensure that secure and reliable electricity can be supplied to homes and businesses in Sheffield and the surrounding area.
The old cables are oil-filled, and they will be replaced with new cables that will not contain any oil. This means that they will be safer and more environmentally-friendly.
Project description
The three cable routes that will be disconnected and decommissioned are:
- Pitsmoor substation to Wincobank substation
- Wincobank substation to Templeborough substation
- Pitsmoor substation to Templeborough substation
To replace the three cable routes above, two new cable routes will be installed:
- Templeborough substation to Wincobank substation
- Wincobank substation to Pitsmoor substation
The map below shows the new planned cable routes in cyan.
We expect that construction works will get underway in Summer 2025. Work on the route will take place in two separate phases, starting with the route between the Templeborough to Wincobank substations.
We will then start work on the cable route between Pitsmoor substation and Wincobank substation. This work is anticipated to begin in early 2026. Completing the work in separate phases will allow us to minimise general disruption for local residents and businesses.
We are expecting to complete the project by 2027.
National Grid has appointed Balfour Beatty as the main contractor who will be delivering the works.
We will continue to share regular updates and hold information events at key stages in the project, where anybody can drop in to find out more about the project and meet members of the team.
Contact us
If you have any questions or enquiries about this project, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
You can keep up to date by signing up to our project newsletter using the link below.
Phone: 0808 175 0206
Email: [email protected]
Freepost: Freepost National Grid SHF Cables
Frequently asked questions
Answers to questions we're often asked about the Sheffield cable replacement project.
National Grid's Community Grant Programme
Our Community Grant Programme is aimed at organisations and charities in areas where National Grid’s work impacts on local people through our operations and site activities.
We fund projects run by charities and community groups that meet local community needs by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits. If your project meets our criteria, you can apply for a grant of up to £20,000.
Compulsory Purchase Order
To ensure that the Sheffield cable replacement project is completed within the required timescales, National Grid needs to acquire all of the necessary land and rights to do our work.
On 24 November 2023, National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (“National Grid”) made The National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (Pitsmoor-Wincobank-Templeborough 275kV Cable Replacement Scheme) Compulsory Purchase Order 2023 ("The CPO”). The CPO will enable National Grid to compulsorily acquire the land and rights necessary to construct and operate infrastructure between National Grid’s existing substations at Pitsmoor, Wincobank and Templeborough as well as decommissioning existing cables.
National Grid is continuing to engage with all known affected landowners and, where applicable, the occupiers, to discuss the rights required and proposals to deliver the project. Our preference will always be to secure land and rights in land based on voluntary agreements with affected landowners/occupiers.
We will continue to negotiate in a collaborative and positive manner to conclude all voluntary agreements where possible. Where National Grid has a completed agreement in place ahead of the works, it does not expect to need to rely on the CPO.
A copy of the notice confirming the making of the CPO has been served on all those with an interest in the land who were included in the CPO. It's also been published in local newspapers and erected at intervals across the land included in the CPO.
A copy of the made CPO, the maps that show the land included in the CPO, the Statement of Reasons and Press Notice are available below. Any objections to the making of the CPO must be made before 5 January 2024 in accordance with the details set out in the Press Notice.
If you’d like more information about the CPO, please contact National Grid’s appointed land agent, Bell Ingram, using the contact details below:
Phone: 0808 175 0206
Post: Freepost National Grid SHF Cables
Email: [email protected]
Further detail on the compulsory purchase process can be found in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Guidance on Compulsory Purchase Process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019), which is available to view and download for free online at GOV.UK.
CPO inquiry – indicative timetable