National Grid invites local community to share views on updated proposals for electricity upgrade project between Norwich and Tilbury

The proposed new infrastructure will be able to transport 6 gigawatts enough to power 6 million homes in the East of England and across the country, helping the UK reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to lower energy bills in the long term.

The project forms part of National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, which will see significant new infrastructure built across England and Wales to connect clean, renewable energy from where it’s generated out at sea to where it’s needed by communities across the UK. The new network is the largest overhaul of the grid in generations, enabling homes and businesses in East Anglia and across the UK to use renewable energy to power the things they love in years to come.

Following its first consultation in 2022 National Grid is sharing new detail with communities along the proposed route, including potential positions for overhead lines and associated pylons, underground cables, cable sealing end compounds (where overhead lines are joined to underground cables) and a connection substation.

The further detail included within the updated proposals is based on cost, engineering and environmental assessments as well as impacts on biodiversity, ecology, the historic environment and visual landscape. The cost of all National Grid projects are ultimately paid for by consumer energy bills, and onshore power lines are significantly cheaper than an equivalent offshore solution.

We’re proposing new infrastructure that will connect this green energy to the grid and allow clean electricity to power homes and businesses across East Anglia and the UK, boosting our home-grown energy security and progress towards net zero.

Liam Walker, Project Director for Norwich to Tilbury, commented: “The government’s net zero target means an increase in new renewable electricity generation such as offshore wind power.

“We’re proposing new infrastructure that will connect this green energy to the grid and allow clean electricity to power homes and businesses across East Anglia and the UK, boosting our home-grown energy security and progress towards net zero.

“The feedback we received in last year’s initial consultation has been valuable in helping us to further shape our proposals. This latest consultation is another part of our engagement with communities and stakeholders along the proposed route and we encourage people to share their views on the updated proposals.”
 

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, or by visiting the project website. Paper copies of consultation materials will also be available to view at several locations in the local area.

Contact for media information only:

Helen Blake
+44 7790 824788

[email protected]

Notes to Editors
 

Further background on the electricity network in East Anglia

The high voltage electricity transmission network in East Anglia was developed in the 1960s to supply regional demand. Until now it has been able to meet this. But by the end of the decade the amount of renewable and low carbon energy connecting to the network is set to dramatically increase.

The existing network in East Anglia currently carries around 4.5 gigawatts of electricity generation. By 2031 we expect between 14 gigawatts and 18.5 gigawatts of new generation and interconnection to connect in the region. (Approximately 1 gigawatt of generation can power 1m homes.) 

We are already carrying out work to upgrade the existing transmission network in East Anglia, however even with these upgrades the network will not be sufficient. Norwich to Tilbury is a key part of our wider investment programme to upgrade our electricity transmission network in East Anglia to ensure we meet this future energy transmission demand.
 

Further background on the planning process for Norwich to Tilbury

As current proposals include more than 2 km of overhead line, it is expected that the project will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project under the Planning Act 2008. This requires a special type of planning application known as a ‘Development Consent Order’ (DCO). An independent panel of inspectors is appointed to review any DCO application. The inspectors issue a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero who makes the final decision whether to grant planning permission.

National Grid anticipates holding a statutory consultation in 2024 before submitting a DCO application in 2025.
 

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 Norwich to Tilbury.

National Grid has recently launched the largest overhaul of the grid in generations. The Great Grid Upgrade is part of National Grid’s continued programme of investment into the UK energy transition, which will see £16bn invested from 2021-2026 to support the UK’s net zero goals. National Grid is one of the largest green investors in the FTSE.

All projects that are part of The Great Grid Upgrade will include specific locations in their names to make it easy for people to understand what and where new grid infrastructure is being proposed.

*The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is consulting on a recommended approach to community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure.