We are planning essential upgrades to Blyth Substation to connect new customers to our electricity network and meet future energy demand. To do this, we will extend the existing substation and build a new substation nearby. This investment will connect wind power generated in the North Sea and a major new development in the area, the Cambois data centre campus.
As a regulated business, we have a legal obligation to connect customers to the network when requested.
Upgrading Blyth Substation is an important part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations. This project will connect homes, businesses and public services in the North East to more secure, cleaner, and home-grown energy from more affordable sources.
Data centres are critical national infrastructure. They support cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, financial services, healthcare, education and public services. As demand from data centres and digital infrastructure grows, The Great Grid Upgrade is strengthening the grid to help power possibilities for customers, communities and the wider economy.
Blyth Substation is located just south of the former Blyth Power Station on Taranis Street, between Cambois and East Sleekburn.
Planning and consents
We have submitted the first planning application to Northumberland County Council for the first phase of the project, and we expect to submit one further application for the second phase.
As the project develops, we will share more information on both phases of work.
Phase one – Extension of the existing substation
Phase one involves extending the current Blyth Substation to meet initial customer connection dates.
In March 2026, following an Environmental Screening (EIA) Request to Northumberland County Council, the Council confirmed the proposed works for phase one do not constitute EIA development, meaning a full EIA is not required for this element of the project. A separate EIA Screening Request will be submitted for phase two.
Current status
In July this year, we submitted a planning application to the Council for the phase one works, for a small number of elements that fall outside of our permitted development rights, including the permitter fencing and a portable relay room. This planning application can be viewed on Northumberland County Council’s planning portal by searching for 26/02700/PA.
| Works that can be carried out under permitted development rights | Works requiring planning permission |
Under permitted development rights, certain construction activities can carried out without the need for a full planning application. This includes:
| We have submitted a planning application for a small number of elements that fall outside our permitted development rights. This includes:
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Phase two – Construction of a new substation
Phase two will see a new substation built nearby. This will provide the additional long-term capacity needed to meet future electricity demand and connect new developments as the region continues to grow. We are carrying out design work for our phase two activity, and we will share more information with the local community early next year.
Stay informed
We will keep you updated as the project develops:
- Newsletter – subscribe to our newsletter for project updates and community news. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- Website – we will update this page regularly so please check for updates.
You can also contact our community relations team directly on:
- [email protected]
- 0800 130 3711 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5:30pm)
We are committed to protecting your personal data. To learn more about how we handle and store your information, please see our privacy policy to learn more.
Survey works
We are currently carrying out ground investigation and ecological surveys on land near the existing substation.
These surveys help us better understand ground conditions and the local environment so we can finalise our plans. Ground investigation work may include taking small soil samples or drilling boreholes, while ecological surveys involve assessing local habitats and monitoring wildlife such as birds, bats and reptiles.
You may see our specialist contractors working in the area. We will keep disruption to a minimum and ensure land is returned to its previous condition once surveys are complete.
If you have any questions, please contact the project team:
- [email protected]
- Call 0800 130 3711 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5:30pm)
Project timelines
Phase one involves extending the existing substation. Subject to planning permission, construction of this extension is expected to be completed in 2028.
Phase two involves building a new substation nearby. Subject to planning approval, construction of the new substation is expected to begin once permission is granted, with completion anticipated by 2031. Further details will be shared as the project progresses.
Our investment in communities
Communities are at the heart of the UK’s transition to more secure, cleaner, home-grown energy from more affordable sources. We have a long-standing commitment to the communities we work alongside, and we want to ensure lasting benefits for the people and places that host new infrastructure.
Shaped by the community, for the community, and developed in line with government guidance, these funds are designed to reflect local need and support projects that benefit local people.
We will work with residents, charities, community groups and elected representatives to understand what matters most and how the funding can make a lasting and positive impact.
Project documents
Case studies
Coming together to clean up Cambois Beach
Members of our team joined local volunteers and partner organisations at Cambois Beach in August 2026 to help tackle plastic pollution along the North East coastline.
Frequently Asked Questions
This project involves extending the existing Blyth Substation and constructing a new substation nearby. It forms part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations. The programme is strengthening the UK’s electricity network so it can deliver more secure, cleaner, home-grown energy to homes, businesses and public services.
Demand for electricity is rising, and the existing substation no longer has sufficient capacity. As a regulated business, we have a legal obligation to connect customers to the network when requested. Upgrading the substation ensures the network can meet current and future needs.
Yes. The existing substation will remain in use and will be extended during phase one. The new substation will then be built nearby to provide long term capacity and resilience.
The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations. It comprises major infrastructure projects designed to scale up the grid, including our work in Blyth.
Delivering The Great Grid Upgrade will enable us to carry more clean, secure energy from where it is generated – like out in the sea by wind turbines – to where it is needed, boosting energy security and helping the nation become more self-sufficient.
At the same time, this work will also support the growth of artificial intelligence and digital industries. Data centres are critical national infrastructure. They support cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, financial services, healthcare, education and public services. As demand from data centres and digital infrastructure grows, The Great Grid Upgrade is strengthening the grid to help power possibilities for customers, communities and the wider economy.
Yes. Both phases require permission from Northumberland County Council under the Town and Country Planning Act. We will work closely with our partners and the community to help manage the impacts of our essential works.
Yes, we will carry out a consultation for phase two of the proposals. As the project progresses, we will provide clear updates and offer a range of ways for people to get involved in the consultation for phase two, so everyone who wants to have their say is able to do so.
The phase one planning application covers a small part of the overall first phase of the project. As a result, we are not proposing a separate consultation for phase one.
We are carrying out detailed ecology surveys to understand local habitats and species. This helps us design the project to minimise environmental impacts and ensures we meet all regulatory requirements. These surveys are now underway.
Timelines are indicative and depend on planning permission. The phase one extension is expected to complete in 2028. Further information on phase two timelines will be shared in due course.
Subject to consent, a community benefit fund will be available for the project. We will work with local people to decide how this funding should be used to support the community and local causes with lasting benefits.
By increasing network capacity, the project will connect wind energy to the grid, while also providing the electricity infrastructure needed to support future demand from the Cambois data centre campus. This will help unlock investment, support skilled jobs and strengthen the North East's ambitions for clean energy, economic growth and digital innovation.
Updates will be shared regularly on this webpage. You can also contact us directly at: [email protected] or on our Freephone: 0800 130 3711.