National Grid to consult on East Anglia Green Energy Enablement (GREEN) proposals

The project is still at an early stage of development and this public consultation will give local communities the first opportunity to see the plans and to provide feedback. National Grid will listen carefully to the views of local people and will take their comments into consideration as they develop the proposals in more detail. There will be another opportunity to comment on the proposals before National Grid submits a planning application to the Planning Inspectorate in late 2024.

The reinforcement is needed to carry more renewable and low carbon power from offshore wind and interconnectors (subsea electricity cables to share electricity between the UK and Europe). The plans include building a new 400,000 volt (400 kV) electricity transmission line between Norwich Main substation in Norfolk and Bramford substation in Suffolk, and between Bramford substation and Tilbury substation in Essex. The new reinforcement is expected to be around 180 km in length and made up mostly of new pylons, with some underground cables where the route crosses an area designated for its outstanding natural beauty.

A new substation is also proposed on the Tendring Peninsula to connect two new offshore wind farms to the electricity network.

This reinforcement between Norwich and Tilbury is essential to carry more clean energy to homes and businesses across the UK, and to help the country reach net zero by 2050.

Liam Walker, Project Director for East Anglia GREEN, commented: “This reinforcement between Norwich and Tilbury is essential to carry more clean energy to homes and businesses across the UK, and to help the country reach net zero by 2050. We hope local residents will be able to join us and hear more about what we are proposing and give us their feedback on our plans."

Members of the public will be able to take part in the consultation and speak with National Grid’s team by attending consultation events, online webinars, booking a slot at an ‘ask the experts’ session or by visiting the project website. Paper copies of consultation materials will also be available to view at several locations in the local area.

The following table shows where consultation events are being held across the area:

A series of online webinars and ‘ask the experts’ are also being held during the eight week consultation period. For more information, please visit nationalgrid.com/east-anglia-green from 21 April 2022, email us eastangliagreen@nationalgrid.com or call us on 0800 151 0992.

Residents who prefer to respond to the consultation via post can receive a printed copy of the feedback form by calling or emailing us, or collect at one of our information points listed on our website.

Residents within the immediate vicinity of the proposed reinforcement will also receive a newsletter with more information on the consultation.
 

Notes to editors

Contact for media information only:
Donna Burnell 0800 151 0992
[email protected]

Constructing East Anglia GREEN requires the granting of a Development Consent Order (DCO). This is a special type of planning application for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, where an independent panel of inspectors is appointed to review the plans. Once submitted, it can take up to 18 months before a decision is made. The inspectors will issue a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who will make the final decision. National Grid anticipates submitting a DCO application for East Anglia GREEN in late 2024.

About National Grid
National Grid sits at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting millions of people and businesses to the energy they use every day. National Grid is working to build a cleaner, fairer and more affordable energy system that serves everyone, powering the future of our homes, transport and industry. National Grid Electricity Transmission, owns, builds and maintains the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. It is National Grid Electricity Transmission that is developing the plans for the East Anglia GREEN.

Background
The existing transmission network in East Anglia was developed in the 1960s to meet electricity demand in the area. Until today it has been able to meet that need and provide around 3.5 GW of power carrying capability out of the region. By 2030, the amount of renewable and low carbon energy connecting to the network will dramatically increase; just under 23 GW is contracted to connect in East Anglia by the end of this decade.

Our existing power lines do not have sufficient capacity and building East Anglia GREEN together with other new reinforcements will meet this future energy transmission demand. 

East Anglia GREEN would connect two new offshore wind farms off the East Anglia coast - the North Falls Offshore Wind Farm and Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm - to the energy transmission network. Both North Falls and Five Estuaries offshore wind farms are currently in development. If they are consented, both are expected to be operational by the end of the decade.

The energy network needs upgrading and capability adding to be able to transport cleaner, greener energy from where it is generated to where it is consumed.