Project description
At National Grid we are at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting people to the energy they use, safely and reliably. We keep the lights on so people can go about their daily lives. We’re working to build a more secure, cleaner, and more affordable energy system that serves everyone. And it’s our responsibility to allow new sources of energy to connect to our system so we can all benefit from the electricity they generate.
This project will provide new connections to our network, for AGR Renewables’ Bicker Fen Solar Farm and Little Hale Fen Solar Farm. To make these connections we need to install two new small transformers within the existing Bicker Fen substation.
We’ve already installed the first of two small transformers and are currently carrying out work to prepare the site for the second.
The work will have no impact on local electricity supplies in the area.
Timeline
We started preparation work, including surveys, for Bicker Fen Solar Farm’s connection, in January 2025. We followed this with groundworks, laying foundations, and installing the necessary equipment to connect the new transformer into the transmission system.
We delivered the first small transformer to site on Saturday 18 April 2026, and we expect to complete our work to connect it by autumn 2026.
While this work is underway, we’ll begin the initial work to connect Little Hale Fen Solar Farm. This will include excavating and laying the foundations for the new small transformer before it is delivered. We expect to deliver the transformer to site in early 2027 and complete our work in summer 2027.
Project Update - Introducing our new contractor
Our previous contractor entered insolvency in late 2025, which impacted our construction programme and meant we had to postpone the first transformer delivery to site until April. We’ve appointed a new principal contractor, OCU, to complete the remaining work on site.
Given the delays to our programme, we need to work some weekends over the coming months. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
How will these works affect me?
We’re committed to minimising any potential impacts from our work on the local community. Depending on where you live, the effects may differ. Together with AGR Renewables, who are also undertaking works in the area, we’ve committed to a strict Traffic Management Plan in agreement with Lincolnshire County Council, the local highway authority, to make sure we minimise disruption to the local community.
We take a zero-tolerance approach to contractors or staff who don’t follow the agreed traffic management plan.
If you see a works vehicle that you believe is not following the Traffic Management Plan, please call our Community Relations line on 0800 073 1047. Where possible, please provide details such as the time of the incident, location and vehicle registration number.
Community Grant Programme
Due to the very nature of what we do – connecting people to the energy we all use – we’re at the heart of communities and each year we make a significant charitable investment in the UK. Our Community Grant Programme is aimed at community organisations and charities in areas where our work is impacting local people through our operations and construction activities.
Communities impacted by work we’re carrying out on existing infrastructure can apply for grants of up to £10,000.
Frequently asked questions
Get in touch
We value your interest in the project, and we’ll keep you updated about the work. Our community relations (CR) team is on hand to respond to queries and will keep in touch with you by letter and by our freephone CR number and email.
If you require any further information, please contact us. We are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. An answering service is in place outside these times.
Freephone: 0800 073 1047
Email: [email protected]
All the work we need to carry out is within the existing substation compound. This means you’ll likely only see our team, contractors and deliveries travelling to and from the site.
You’ll also see traffic management signs on the roads around Bicker and the A52. The signs will direct construction traffic away from the village and prevent access to local roads that don’t form part of the Traffic Management Plan route. Works vehicles will travel from the private access track off the A52, along Ing Drove a short distance and onto Cowbridge Road before reaching the substation via Vicarage Drove.
Normal working hours will be between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Sunday. However, if we make better progress than expected, there may be some weekends when we do not need to work. We do not expect this work to be noisy, and our team will continue to manage activity on site carefully to minimise disruption wherever possible.
No. The work will have no impact on your electricity supply. The work that we need to carry out is on part of the national transmission system and has no direct effect on homes, businesses, schools and other premises in the local area.
No, NGET construction traffic will not travel through Bicker village. All our construction traffic will use our private access track from the A52, to join Ing Drove for a short distance and onto Cowbridge Road, before reaching the substation via Vicarage Drove.
We’ve committed to a strict Traffic Management Plan in agreement with Lincolnshire County Council, the local highway authority, to make sure we minimise disruption to the local community. The traffic management company we’ve appointed to oversee this will provide clear signage to make sure our construction traffic uses the agreed route and stays within the speed restrictions for construction traffic. We’ll emphasise to our employees and contractors the special care they need to take when driving to and from the area.
The traffic management company will also use a marshalling system so construction vehicles don’t have to pass one another along Ing Drove, Cowbridge Road or Vicarage Drove to get to and from the substation.
We have a strict Traffic Management Plan in place. This clearly identifies the roads project traffic can use and imposes lower than legal speed limits for construction traffic. All our staff and contractors will be fully briefed on the Traffic Management Plan before they start work on the project.
We take a zero-tolerance approach to contractors or staff who don’t follow the agreed Traffic Management Plan.
If you see a works vehicle that you believe is not following the Traffic Management Plan, please call our Community Relations line on 0800 073 1047. Where possible, please provide details such as the time of the incident, location and vehicle registration number.
We won’t need to close footpaths. However, some roads may need to be temporarily closed to allow for the delivery of the new small transformers to the site. We’ll notify local residents, businesses and landowners well in advance of any planned road closures. We’ll ensure clear and visible signage is in place to direct traffic along any diversion routes.
You can call our Community Relations team if you have any queries about the work. You can reach the team on 0800 073 1047. They’re available daily from 9am – 5:30pm. Alternatively, you can email [email protected].
We’ll do everything we can to minimise disruption to you while we work in the area. We’ll keep the local residents up-to-date through direct notifications (for those residents along the construction traffic route – Ing Drove, Cowbridge Road and Longhedge Drove), our community update letters and our project website.
We’ll also liaise directly with local people on any specific issues.
You can call our Community Relations team if you have any queries about the work. You can reach the team on 0800 073 1047. They’re available daily from 7am – 7pm. Alternatively, you can email [email protected].