The UK Government has set out a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This means achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere and those taken out. The energy industry plays a key part in this transition, from developing renewable energy generation, to upgrading the existing electricity transmission network to allow communities across the country to benefit from this clean energy.

The Norwich to Tilbury connection is one part of a wider strategic infrastructure development plan to deliver this vision. We call this plan 'The Great Grid Upgrade'.

The Great Grid Upgrade in East Anglia

The Great Grid Upgrade will play a big part in the UK government’s plan to boost homegrown power. It will help the UK switch to clean energy and make sure our electricity network is fit for the future; carrying more clean, secure energy from where it’s generated to where you need it.

Along with Norwich to Tilbury, National Grid is developing a number of other projects in the region.

Sea Link

Sea Link, an offshore link between Suffolk and Kent. We will be consulting on the latest proposals in East Suffolk and Kent later this year.

Bramford to Twinstead

We also propose to build network reinforcement between Bramford substation in Suffolk and Twinstead Tee in Essex. Our application for a Development Consent Order was accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate in May (2023).

Refurbishing the existing overhead line

We are carrying out essential work to refurbish the existing 400 kV overhead line that runs between our substations at Bramford and Norwich. This includes replacing all the fittings and wires between the existing pylons. We started in late May and expect works to be complete by the end of this year.

Norwich Main substation extension

Planning permission has now been granted to extend the existing Norwich Main electricity substation. This will enable new sources of clean energy to be delivered to homes and businesses.  

The extension of the substation is separate to our proposals for the Norwich to Tilbury project, which is proposed to connect into Norwich Main. The substation extension is needed to connect the Hornsea project Three offshore wind farm, and the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farm extensions. It would also facilitate the connection of Norwich to Tilbury, should we secure consent.  

While it's vital that more of the energy we use comes from low carbon and renewable sources, both NGET and the Government recognise it's also important to keep the impact as low as possible on bills, people, communities and our natural environment. NGET is committed to finding the right balance between these factors to ensure our projects have a sustainable, positive impact.

The UK already has 13.6 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy in operation. The Government’s recent British Energy Security Strategy outlines the ambition to increase energy from offshore wind to 50GW by 2030 – more than enough to power every home in the UK. In Powering up Britain, the Government explains that the grid needs to be expanded at an unprecedented scale and pace to deliver more clean power and increase our energy security.