Frequently Asked Questions
On this page you will find answers to some of the most common questions about the Blyth Substation project.
This project involves extending the existing Blyth Substation and constructing a new substation near to the existing site. 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.
NGET owns, operates and maintains the high voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. It is responsible for transporting electricity from where it is generated to local distribution networks, businesses and homes.
As part of this role, NGET is developing proposals for the Blyth Substation project to help ensure the electricity network can meet future demand and support economic growth in the region.
Yes. Both phases require permission from Northumberland County Council under the Town and Country Planning Act.
Phase one of the project is mostly being delivered through our permitted development rights.
A planning application was submitted to Northumberland County Council for a small number of elements that fall outside these rights. This planning application secured consent from the Council in October 2026.
A separate planning application will be submitted for phase two of the project.
We are developing a Community Fund which could provide up to £1.06 million in support of communities and deliver lasting benefits for the area.
Shaped by the community and developed in line with government guidance, the Fund will be designed to reflect local needs and priorities.
We are now consulting local people to understand how the funding could best support the area. We encourage you to complete our online survey by Sunday 6 December 2026. You can also share your views at our local pop-up events or online webinar.
Understanding local needs is central to how the Community Fund is designed and delivered.
Research into the local area has identified four proposed themes where the Community Fund could make a lasting difference. We are now consulting residents, community groups and local organisations to refine these and identify where the Fund can make the greatest lasting difference.
Following the consultation, we will explain how community feedback has influenced our decisions and shaped the Fund.
Registered charities, not-for-profit organisations such as sports clubs and local town or parish councils serving the Community Fund zone will be able to apply.
Full eligibility criteria will be confirmed before applications open.
The Community Fund is intended to benefit communities closest to Blyth Substation and those most connected to the project. The consultation will help us understand local priorities ensuring funding is directed towards communities where it can make the greatest difference.
We anticipate that we will launch the Fund in summer 2027. Further details on eligibility and how to apply will be confirmed as the fund is developed. The current consultation is focused on understanding local priorities and helping shape how the Fund will work.
Permitted Development Rights are a type of planning permission granted by the Government through national legislation. They allow certain types of development to take place without the need for a full planning application under the Town and Country Planning Act.
For the Blyth Substation project, some of the phase one works can be delivered using Permitted Development Rights, while a small number of elements required a separate planning application and approval from Northumberland County Council.
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 covered only a small part of the overall first phase of the project. Given the limited scope of these works, a separate public consultation was not considered necessary. However, we were keen to ensure that local communities were kept informed and issued a newsletter to more than 1,000 addresses surrounding the site, providing information about how to view the planning application on Northumberland County Council’s website and make comments. The newsletter is also available to view on this website.
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 remain subject to the necessary consents. The phase one extension is expected to complete in 2028. Further information on phase two timelines will be shared in due course.
Subject to securing consent and at the point in which construction starts, a Community Fund will be available for the project. We will work with local people to shape how this funding can 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.