Project description
We’re developing a new Electricity Transmission Control Centre (ETCC) on our decommissioned 275kV substation at Hams Hall in Warwickshire. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as the central hub for managing the UK’s high-voltage electricity transmission system, enhancing operational efficiency and resilience. The ETCC will ensure real-time monitoring and safe control of over 7,000 kilometres of overhead lines, 22,000 pylons, over 700 kilometres of underground cables and 300 substations, and – helping maintain a secure, reliable electricity network as the UK transitions to clean energy.
None of our planned work will affect local electricity supplies.
Why do we need a new ETCC?
At National Grid, we’re at the heart of Britain’s energy system, ensuring people have safe and reliable access to the energy they need. But the way we power our lives is changing. As the UK moves away from fossil fuels and increases clean energy generation, we’ll all be using more electricity than ever before. To meet this challenge, we need to both scale up the grid and update our existing networks. This means delivering major new infrastructure to carry clean energy from where it’s generated to where it’s needed. That’s why we’re undertaking The Great Grid Upgrade – the biggest investment in the electricity network for generations. You can learn more about The Great Grid Upgrade at, www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade.
To make this possible, we need to build a new ETCC to maintain the secure and efficient transmission of electricity across the country.
Get in touch
We value your interest in the project and will keep you updated about the work. Our community relations team is on hand to respond to any queries you may have.
If you require any further information, please contact our community relations team. They’re available Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm. An answering service is in place outside these hours.
Freephone: 0800 073 1047
Email: [email protected]
Timeline
Our contractor, McLaughlin & Harvey, began preparatory work in January 2025, ready for construction to start in spring. Over the summer of 2025 we dug the site foundations, ahead of installing the steel framework in September. In early 2026, when we’ve finished the steelwork, we’ll start work to install the roof and create a new site entrance. By mid-2026, we expect to have completed the building’s exterior. The internal fit-out will begin in late 2026, and we expect the building to be complete by spring 2027.
How will these works affect me?
We’re committed to being mindful of the local community and minimising any potential impacts from our work wherever we can. As part of this commitment, we’re following a strict Traffic Management Plan, in agreement with Warwickshire County Council, to make sure we reduce disruption as much as possible.
We will keep residents updated through letters and this project website, where we’ll provide advance notice of any traffic management plans, including dates and times.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re building a new Electricity Transmission Control Building at our decomissioned substation site. This work will redevelop the substation site into a new, state-of-the-art building that will control electricity transmission across England and Wales.
Britain’s electricity transmission system is expanding at a rapid pace to support decarbonisation and meet energy security needs. As new sources of electricity generation come online and demand patterns change, management of the growing electricity network is becoming more complex, driving the need for the modern, purpose-built new facility.
Construction of the new control centre, which will incorporate multiple control functions into a single, collaborative space, is a key part of National Grid’s investment to increase the network’s capacity and make it easier to connect the energy needed to power the clean energy transition.
The new Electricity Transmission Control Centre (ETCC) will be the central hub for managing and operating the UK’s high-voltage electricity transmission system. Our control centre engineers work around the clock, 24/7, 365 days a year, to ensure electricity flows safely and efficiently across the network to where it’s needed. They monitor over 7,000km of overhead line, over 300 substations and over 700km of underground cable, to locate any faults or issues and take appropriate action to ensure that electricity continues to flow.
The redevelopment of our decommissioned Hams Hall substation site will transform the existing site into a modern, state-of-the-art ETCC. This new facility will improve operational efficiency, enhance coordination, and ensure we can continue to deliver high levels of resilience in managing critical services across the UK’s electricity transmission network.
We already own the Hams Hall site, which is currently an old substation. As it’s a brownfield site with enough space to accommodate the new ETCC, repurposing this site allows us to avoid building on greenfield land.
No, our work to build the new ETCC doesn’t require any new pylons or substations. We’re redeveloping an existing National Grid-owned brownfield site rather than expanding the transmission network. Our focus is on modernising operations within the control centre to improve efficiency, coordination, and resilience of our transmission system, not on constructing new power lines or substations.
We began our preparatory works in January 2025, ready for construction to start in spring. This early work included general site set-up, such as cabin deliveries, as well as groundworks and dismantling the site’s northern and eastern boundary walls.
Our main construction started in spring 2025, with cut and fill works. We began installing piles for the foundations in June and started laying the foundations in July.
We have started to erect the building’s steel frame. In early 2026, we’ll begin to install the external finishes to the building, including glazing, cladding and fins to provide solar shading in some areas. We expect to install the roof and to have finished the new site entrance in Spring 2026. Once the exterior is complete, the internal fit-out is scheduled to begin in late 2026. The building is planned to be fully operational by spring 2027.
We started preparatory works at the site in January 2025 and expect the building will be fully operational by spring 2027.
There is the potential for some noise during construction, but our contractors will regularly monitor noise to ensure it stays within the levels permitted under local environmental health requirements.
Our working hours will be 7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
No, the work will not affect your electricity supply. Our activities are focused on the redevelopment of a vacant site and are not connected to the live transmission network.
National Grid has appointed McLaughlin and Harvey as the principal contractor to deliver the new ETCC.
Prior to starting any work, we carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to assess the likelihood of the planned works giving rise to significant effects on the environment. The EIA is informed by assessments in areas including ecology, flood risk, transport, heritage, landscape and views, and ground conditions.
National Grid is committed to minimising the impact of work on local wildlife and the environment. We may need to clear some vegetation, trees and bushes and prune or remove hedges as part of our work. We’ll carry out any work of this nature under the watch of an ecologist to ensure any clearance is kept to a minimum. We’ll also undertake an extensive reinstatement programme following any vegetation clearance.
We’re committed to minimising any disruption caused by construction traffic. This will be managed through an agreed Traffic Management Plan. To reduce the impact on the community, we’ll provide suitable parking for the construction team within the site. No construction-related parking will be permitted on the road of the old Hams Hall substation site at any time. We’ll use an online delivery system to ensure minimal impact on traffic movements in the area. We’ll also emphasise to our employees and contractors the special care they need to take when driving to and from the area. No HGV access/deliveries through Lea Marston will be permitted. Should any occur by mistake, firm action will be taken.
We’ll keep local residents, businesses and landowners informed about any planned road closures well in advance of the work. Should we need to close any roads, we’ll ensure clear and visible signage is in place to direct traffic along any diversion routes.
We value your interest in the project, and we promise to keep you updated about the work. Our Community Relations (CR) team is on-hand to respond to queries and will share updates with you by letter.
If you require any further information, please contact us on 0800 073 1047. We’re available Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm. An answering service is in place outside these times. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected].