On this page you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about North Humber to High Marnham.
About the project
North Humber to High Marnham is a proposal for a new high voltage overhead electricity transmission line. The project would add much-needed capacity by upgrading the electricity transmission network between a new substation to the north of Hull and a new substation at High Marnham in Nottinghamshire. You can read more about the detail of our proposals on our website here.
With growing offshore wind and interconnectors, an anticipated tripling of wind generation connected across the Scottish networks by 2030 and the Government’s increased ambition to connect 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030, north-south power flows are set to increase. If all of the proposed new offshore wind that is planned to connect in the Creyke Beck area gets built, this would amount to just under 12 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity by the early 2030s.
The existing network serving the Creyke Beck area can export just under 7 GW of electricity while remaining compliant with the Security and quality of supply standards to which the network is operated. The network as it is today would not have the capacity needed to export the significant forecast increase in contracted generation out of the area or to accommodate the north–south power flows that are expected on the network. We therefore need to increase the capability of the electricity transmission network between the north of England and the Midlands.
Before we build new infrastructure, we make sure we have done everything possible to get greater capability out of the existing network, including to accelerate the connection of clean energy projects. While there are several network upgrade projects planned, North Humber to High Marnham is an essential new reinforcement that forms part of The Great Grid Upgrade and is one of 17 network reinforcements identified as ‘essential’ and which need to be accelerated to meet 2030 targets.
Without these upgrades, the network won’t have the capacity that is needed to move electricity from where it is produced to where it is needed. Therefore, we need to upgrade it to maintain system compliance and prevent overloading circuits as they transport the energy that is generated. The Project would support the UK’s net zero targets by adding capacity to accommodate increasing power flows of energy. This is generated mostly from offshore wind in Scotland and North East England, which is expected to double within the next ten years, to areas of demand south to the Midlands and beyond. By reinforcing the network in the centre of the country, the project will facilitate the connection of more renewable and low carbon electricity, to allow clean green energy to be carried around the network.
Between 1 June 2023 and 27 July 2023 we held an initial non-statutory consultation to introduce our proposals for North Humber to High Marnham. This was an opportunity for you to learn about the project, ask questions and provide feedback on our early proposals.
Between 9 July and 6 August 2024 we held a localised non-statutory consultation about a potential alternative corridor between South Wheatley and High Marnham. This is referred to as the Eastern corridor.
More information on the feedback we received to our previous consultations and our responses to feedback received can be found in our Non-statutory consultation feedback report, which is available from our Document library.
Between 18 February and 15 April 2025, we are seeking your views on our updated proposals as part of a statutory consultation, including the preferred route for the new overhead line, possible pylon positions and how we are proposing to avoid, minimise and address any potentially significant environmental effects. It is a statutory consultation, which means that it is being carried out in line with the formal requirements of the Planning Act 2008.
Consultation is an important part of the DCO process as it enables everyone to comment on the proposals. All feedback we receive as part of this latest consultation will be carefully considered alongside the results of technical assessments and environmental surveys, as we finalise our proposals before submitting our DCO application.
If our DCO application is accepted, the Planning Inspectorate will appoint what is called an ‘Examining Authority’ to independently review and examine our application, including encouraging the submission of views from communities and other interested parties.
The Examining Authority will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who will decide whether to grant consent for a DCO. To find out more about the DCO process, please see the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
Since the close of our non-statutory and localised non-statutory consultations, we have reviewed and carefully considered the feedback we received alongside the outcome of technical and environmental studies as we have developed our more detailed proposals. This has been used to inform the development of our preferred route alignment and proposed pylon positions, and has resulted in several changes to our proposals. More information on the feedback we received to our previous consultations and our responses to feedback received can be found in our Non-statutory consultation feedback report, which is available from the Document library.
We are committed to working closely with land and property owners and occupiers as we develop our plans for this project. We will keep you updated as the project progresses and encourage you and your professional representative to get in touch with any queries or concerns you may have.
As part of our statutory consultation, we have written to all potentially impacted landowners with information on our proposals and consultation.
If you are a landowner and believe your property may be affected by our proposals, you can speak directly to our Lands team by emailing [email protected], by calling 0333 188 3511 or by writing to Unit 1, Staplehurst Farm, Weston on the Green, OX25 3QU.
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. We bring energy to life – in the heat, light and power we bring to our customer’s homes and businesses; in the way that we support our communities and help them to grow; and in the way we show up in the world. It is our vision to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future.
Within the National Grid Group there are distinctly separate legal entities, each with their individual responsibilities and roles. More information on National Grid can be found here.
National Grid Electricity Transmission, owns, maintains and operates the high voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. This network operates primarily at 400 kilovolts (kv) and 275 kV.
National Grid Strategic Infrastructure is developing the proposals for North Humber to High Marnham. The proposals form part of The Great Grid Upgrade, which is the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations.
Contact the team
If you have any questions or comments about North Humber to High Marnham, please get in touch by emailing [email protected], by calling 0808 189 1346, or by writing to Freepost NH TO HM.
If you are a landowner and believe your property may be affected by our proposals, to speak to our Lands team you can email [email protected], call 0333 188 3511 or write to Unit 1, Staplehurst Farm, Weston on the Green, OX25 3QU.
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