Creyke Beck extension and new substation
The way we generate electricity in the UK is changing rapidly, and we are transitioning to cheaper, cleaner and more secure forms of energy like new offshore windfarms. We need to make changes to the network of overhead lines, pylons, cables and other infrastructure that transports electricity around the country, so that everyone has access to the clean electricity from these new renewable sources.
Located here on our consultation site you will find information on the proposed substation works in the vicinity of Creyke Beck, near Cottingham, north of Hull.
These consist of an extension to the existing Creyke Beck substation and a new substation located approximately 700m to the northwest. Our proposed substation works are required to connect new customers proposed for new offshore wind and interconnectors that are planned in the area. Our proposals are part of The Great Grid Upgrade – the largest overhaul of the grid in generations.
Below you can find more information about our proposals for these works.
Creyke Beck substation extension
To connect the proposed Hornsea Project Four offshore wind farm and a solar and battery storage project, we need to extend the existing Creyke Beck 400kV substation on land that we own, southwest of the existing substation.
We are proposing a construction road directly off the A1079 to both the existing substation and the new substation, avoiding the need for construction traffic to use Park Lane and minimising disruption to residents and businesses locally during construction and the ongoing operation of the substations.
Park Lane, which is also part of National Cycle Route 1, will need to be partially diverted on the land that is intended for the location of this extension. We will ensure the new section of this route is constructed of the same or to a higher standard and we will build and open the new section of road, before starting work on the substation extension.
While we won’t have the exact final design for the substation extension until a main contractor is appointed, Figure 1 below indicatively shows the current proposed layout and design.
The proposed substation extension compound would occupy approximately 6.41 hectares maximum and the maximum height of the proposed equipment within the extension would be 17 metres.
New substation
We also need to connect Dogger Bank South, a proposed new offshore wind farm, two interconnector proposals and the proposed North Humber to High Marnham grid upgrade. To do that a separate 400kV substation is needed. It's not possible to connect everything proposed in the area to the existing substation. The proposed site for the new substation is approximately 700m to the northwest of the existing Creyke Beck substation.
We are proposing a gas insulated switchgear (GIS) substation, where most of the equipment is housed within a single building and has a smaller footprint overall. We have identified this site as the best option from a list of seven evaluated sites and it needs to be a more compact GIS design because of land constraints, including gas and water pipes.
While we won’t have the exact final design for the substation extension until a main contractor is appointed, Figure 2 below indicatively shows the current proposed layout and design.
The proposed new substation compound would be approximately 3.04 hectares maximum and the maximum height of the proposed equipment within the new substation would be 13 metres.
Supporting local biodiversity
We are committed as an organisation to providing a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain in areas where there are infrastructure projects. This will help to increase biodiversity in the surrounding land, such as flora, fauna and the wildlife habitat. The exact location of this at the site of the substation works at Creyke Beck is dependent on the outcome of the ecology surveys, which are currently underway. We will also be providing additional landscaping at these locations, which will be finalised in the near future.
Find out more
You can view all of our consultation documents and materials below.
Creyke Beck extension and new substation - Consultation leaflet
Creyke Beck extension and new substation - Exhibition banners
Have your say
Our consultation closed on 27 July 2023. We are now taking the time to review the feedback received before submitting our planning applications to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, most likely in 2024. We will update these pages when we have more information to share about that.
If you would like to contact us further, you can contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 051 4430 (lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm).
There’s a lot of space in the Northern Power Grid substation. Why can’t you build the new substation in there?
The land there is Northern Power Grid’s operational land and unfortunately cannot be used for these proposed works.
Why does the new substation have to be built close to Creyke Beck? Why can’t it be built somewhere else along the overhead line to Thornton or Keadby?
The new substation is needed to connect the proposed Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm to the electricity transmission network, along with two proposed new interconnectors – one from Scandinavia and one from Iceland. This location has been chosen to enable these connections to be made the national electricity transmission system in the most effective way.
Why were the six other potential sites explored locally for a new substation not selected?
Seven sites were identified as potential locations for a new substation in the Creyke Beck area. Six of these were ruled out due to constraints, including gas and utilities piping, size of available land, and because of development others are proposing on these sites.
How many other developments will be enabled by the new substation?
The new substation is needed to connect the proposed Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm to the electricity transmission network, along with two proposed new interconnectors – one from Scandinavia and one from Iceland. The proposed new North Humber to High Marnham electricity transmission line reinforcement will also start at the proposed new substation, carrying clean green electricity further into the country.
What and where are the offshore wind farm and interconnector customers going to build?
Dogger Bank South are consulting about their latest proposals for a 3,000 MW offshore wind farm until 17 July. You can read more about that on the Dogger Bank South project website. The two interconnector projects will also be carrying out their own consultations. Continental Link is an 1,800MW multi-purpose interconnector between the UK and Scandinavia that is being developed by National Grid Ventures. You can read more about that on the Planning Inspectorate website. Atlantic Superconnection is a proposed 1,800MW interconnector from Iceland. You can read more about that on their project website.
Will access to my property / use of National Cycle Route 1 be restricted at any time?
Access to properties and use of the National Cycle Route 1 will be maintained at all times, although some minor interruption may be necessary as part of the works. Where that is the case and wherever possible, we will agree temporary alternative options with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, SUSTRANS and landowners. Before the proposed Creyke Beck substation extension can be built, it will also be necessary to permanently divert a section of Park Lane, which is also National Cycle Route 1. The existing route will be kept open while the diverted route is constructed. Then vehicles and users can be diverted onto the new route ahead of construction of the substation extension. We will endeavour to keep any associated disruption to a minimum and continuous access will be available at all times.
Will the public footpath / bridleway / cycle route be diverted?
Access to public rights of way, bridleways and the National Cycle Route 1 will be maintained at all times, although some minor interruption may be necessary as part of the works. Where that is the case and wherever possible, we will agree temporary alternative options with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, SUSTRANS and landowners. Before the proposed Creyke Beck substation extension can be built, it will also be necessary to permanently divert a section of Park Lane, which is also National Cycle Route 1. The existing route will be kept open while the diverted route is constructed. Then vehicles and users can be diverted onto the new route ahead of construction of the substation extension. We will endeavour to keep any associated disruption to a minimum and continuous access will be available at all times.
Where will the existing overhead lines be diverted to?
There will be some modification needed to the existing overhead lines to connect the proposed new substation. These will be designed to minimise what is required. The main overhead line will remain predominantly on its current route. The proposed new North Humber to High Marnham electricity transmission line reinforcement will also start at the proposed new substation, carrying clean green electricity further into the country.
When will you be submitting a planning application for the extension to / new substation?
The planning applications for the substation extension and the new substation are currently expected to be submitted around mid to late 2024.
When do you plan to start building the new substation?
Subject to planning permission, we currently expect construction of the new substation and substation extension to start in 2025/2026.
How will you be accessing the new substation site?
We intend to use a new construction road directly off the A1079, avoiding the need for construction traffic to use Park Lane.
When will the new road be constructed and will it be permanent?
The new road will be in place prior to construction works. It will need to be built for both the substation extension and the new substation, with a permanent road required for ongoing access.
Will National Grid be constructing the new road?
The first part of the access road will be shared with Hornsea Project Four, who may require the construction road to be built first, otherwise we will build it.
Will an update be provided to residents in the local area once the plans have been finalised?
The final designs for both the substation extension and the new substation will be included as part of the planning application for each. We will let those who ask to be informed updated when we submit the planning applications.
Why can’t you put the overhead line between the new and existing substations underground?
The existing overhead line will remaining largely unaffected, with just short ‘turn-in’ connections to the new substation. This connection to the new substation is most easily and economically made by connecting from the existing overhead line. An underground cable would not provide the required system connections and would be significantly more disruptive.
Will the new substation be extended in the future?
The new building, in which much of the new equipment will be housed as a result of it being a gas insulated switchgear substation, will have some capacity for future equipment. It is possible that further additional connections, beyond the spare capacity that is currently catered for, could require the building to be extended. There are currently no plans that envisage a need for this.
Will the woodlands be affected in any way?
The substation project team is having regard to the proximity to woodland and other environmental and land use considerations with a view to avoid impacts there. The proposals for the substation will include landscaping and proposals that deliver biodiversity net gain.