National Grid owns and operates the electricity transmission network in England and Wales.
National Grid is undertaking a replacement of the 132kV substation located on the old Rugeley Power Station site.
Since the 1960s, two substations have formed part of the old Rugeley power station site – a 400kV substation and 132kV substation. Both substations play a vital role in the UK’s electricity transmission and distribution networks respectively.
Currently the 400kV and 132kV substations are located in different areas of the old power station site. However, the 132kV substation building is approaching the end of its operational life, therefore the decision was made to relocate the 132kV substation to sit within the existing Rugeley 400kV substation site.
Substations are integral features of the transmission and distribution networks enabling electricity to be transmitted at different voltages, securely and reliably. One of the main roles of substations is to convert electricity into different voltages. This is needed so electricity can be transmitted throughout the country and then distributed into our homes, businesses, and buildings.
The 400kV substation supports the transmission of high voltage electricity to where it’s needed in the UK, while the 132kV substation is responsible for distributing electricity ready to be safely delivered, at a lower voltage, to local homes and businesses.
Our contractor, Hitachi, has been on site over the last couple of months and has already started construction work on the foundations of the new 132kV substation. This work will continue to be completed over several phases, and you can expect to see the construction of foundations and buildings, delivery of equipment, testing equipment, decommissioning and deconstruction and decommissioning of the old substation building.
Our working hours have been agreed with the local planning authority and will be:
- 07:30 to 19:00 Monday to Friday
- 08:00 to 13:00 Saturday
- Summer 2025 to Winter 2025 – Construction of the new external 132kV building
- Winter 2025 to Autumn 2026 – Installation of internal 132kV substation components
- Autumn 2026 to Spring 2028 – Stage 1 commissioning commences. Commissioning is a critical process of ensuring all newly installed equipment is ready for safe and reliable operation. Cable installation will also take place.
- Spring 2028 to Autumn 2028 – Stage 2 commissioning commences.
- Autumn 2028 to Summer 2029 – Removal of existing distribution cables from existing 132kV GIS substation into new 132kV substation
- Winter 2029 – Construction completed and new substation operational
There will be no disruption to the supply of electricity during these works.
We do not anticipate our work causing any major disruption, but you may hear some noise while we are working or notice some construction vehicles in your local area. We will ensure residents; business and the school are informed of any noisy work to be undertaken.
A new temporary haul road branching from the A51 will be used to limit any interactions between construction traffic and school traffic for the new Rugeley John Taylor School once it opens in September 2025.
Although you may notice some construction vehicles in your local area, we are not planning to work on any other roads in the area.
We are working closely with Rugeley John Taylor School to ensure we minimise disruption, including via the temporary haul road to limit interactions between the construction and school traffic. We’re committed to providing regular updates and working with the school’s leadership team, teachers, pupils and parents.
National Grid takes the issue of health very seriously and relies on authoritative and independent scientific organisations, such as World Health Organisation (WHO) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), to review the worldwide body of scientific evidence on electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) and health, as well as reviewing science ourselves.
We believe it is right that the decision on what is acceptable or not is made independently of industry. We ensure that all our assets comply with the guidelines set by Government on advice from the UKHSA.
A vast amount of research has been done into the possibility of health effects, without establishing any risks below these levels set by the guidelines.
If you would like to discuss a concern, please call the EMF helpline on 0845 702 3270 / 01926 653382 or email [email protected]
National Grid’s Community Grant programme supports community organisations and charities in areas where our work is impacting local people through our operations and site activities.
The programme provides grants of up to £10,000 to fund projects run by charities and community groups that meet the local community needs by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits. To find out about eligibility and how to apply for a grant, please see here.
Do not hesitate to get in contact via our dedicated communications channels:
Call us: 0800 099 6093 (available 9am-4:30pm Monday to Friday)
Email us: [email protected]