We are developing proposals to construct a new substation at Dorman Point, within the established industrial Teesworks area on the south bank of the River Tees, east of Middlesbrough, and we wanted to make you aware of our plans.
The scale of new demand for electricity in the area means that new infrastructure is needed to increase network capacity. The proposed substation would provide over 1 gigawatt (GW) of new capacity, helping to ensure the network can meet growing demand while maintaining a secure and resilient electricity supply for businesses and industry across the South Tees area.
National Grid owns and operates the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, transporting electricity from where it is generated to local electricity networks that supply homes, businesses and industry. As a regulated business, we have a legal obligation to connect customers to the network when requested.
The project will strengthen the electricity network in the South Tees area and provide the capacity needed to support the region’s next phase of industrial and economic development. The project will strengthen the electricity network in the South Tees area, providing the power needed to support a proposed private-wire network serving a new data centre, alongside a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS). Together, this infrastructure will help attract investment, support the growth of AI and digital technologies, and enable the region's next phase of industrial and economic development. work will strengthen the energy infrastructure that will power Teesside’s industrial future.
The Great Grid Upgrade
The Tees Dock Substation is part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest upgrade of the electricity grid in generations. National Grid Electricity Transmission owns and maintains the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales.
As demand from data centres and digital infrastructure grows, The Great Grid Upgrade will strengthen the grid and help power possibilities for customers, communities and the wider economy.
Data centres are critical national infrastructure, supporting cloud services, artificial intelligence, financial services, healthcare, education and public services. Reliable electricity connections help the UK remain competitive as demand for digital services grow.
By upgrading the grid now, we can meet this growing demand while helping to support investment, economic growth and a secure, reliable electricity network for the future.
Current status
In July 2026, we submitted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion Requests to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. The submission of the EIA screening requests marks an important early step in determining the appropriate level of environmental assessment required for our forthcoming planning applications. The request made to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council can be viewed on the Council’s planning portal by searching for R/2026/0531/SC.
We are also carrying out early surveys and technical studies to help us understand the land, the local environment and how the site could be developed.
Anticipated timeline
Please note, these timelines are indicative and subject to change.
- Spring 2026 – Surveys started on site.
- Summer 2026 – Submission of Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion Requests.
- Autumn 2026 – Submission of an outline planning application, which establishes the principle of the proposed development with supporting engagement.
- Winter 2026/7 – Ongoing project updates and continued engagement as our proposals progress.
- Spring 2027 – Public consultation on the detailed proposals, including opportunities to view the plans, ask questions and provide feedback.
- Spring/Summer 2027 – Submission of a reserved matters planning application.
- Autumn/Winter 2027 onwards – Subject to the necessary approvals, site mobilisation and construction commencement.
We will continue to keep local communities and stakeholders informed as the project progresses and key milestones are reached.
Supporting local communities
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.
If planning approval is granted for the Tees Dock Substation, a community fund will be unlocked at the point in which construction begins.
Shaped by the community, for the community, this fund will be designed to reflect local needs and developed in line with government guidance.
We will work with residents, charities, community groups and elected representatives to understand what matters most and how the funding can make a lasting, positive impact. We will share more information on this and opportunities to get involves as the project progresses.
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: [email protected]
Phone: 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.
FAQs
National Grid is developing proposals to construct a new substation at Dorman Point, located within the established industrial Teesworks area on the south bank of the River Tees, east of Middlesbrough, and I wanted to make you aware of our plans.
The project will strengthen the electricity network in the South Tees area and provide the capacity needed to support the region’s next phase of industrial and economic development. The project will strengthen the electricity network in the South Tees area, providing the power needed to support a proposed private-wire network serving a new data centre, alongside a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS). Together, this infrastructure will help attract investment, support the growth of AI and digital technologies, and enable the region's next phase of industrial and economic development.
A new substation is required to strengthen the electricity transmission network in the Tees Valley and meet growing demand for electricity. As a regulated business, we have a legal obligation to connect customers to the network when requested. The project will help ensure there is capacity to support new businesses and digital infrastructure, while maintaining a secure and reliable electricity supply for the region.
The substation will help connect major new developments in the Tees Valley area, including a proposed data centre and battery energy storage system (BESS) facility.
Data centre investment can create local employment, skills and training opportunities. The UK’s highly reliable transmission network is a key factor in attracting data centre investment. BESS facilities help store electricity when demand is low and release it when demand is higher, supporting a more flexible and resilient electricity network.
The proposed substation is contracted to provide over 1 gigawatt of import and export capacity.
The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations.
The demand for electricity is set to double by 2050 as the way we power our homes, businesses, industry and transport changes. We need to upgrade the grid now to ensure we can meet this increase in demand. The Great Grid Upgrade therefore comprises major infrastructure projects that will both scale up the grid and update our existing networks.
Projects like the Tees Dock Substation form part of this wider programme to strengthen the UK’s electricity network.
Yes. The project will require planning permission before construction can begin.
Planning permission will be sought in two stages. First, an outline planning application will be submitted to establish whether the principle of the development is acceptable. If approved, this will be followed by one or more reserved matters applications, which will provide the detailed design of the development, such as the layout, appearance, landscaping and access.
Both stages will be determined by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council as part of the formal planning process.
Yes. We will work with local residents, community groups, businesses and political representatives as the project develops and a public consultation will be held before we submit our reserved matters application.
Information will be shared through this project website so people can stay informed and ask questions.
Environmental protection is an important part of any National Grid project. Surveys and ecological assessments are being carried out before work begins so potential impacts can be understood and addressed.
The project will deliver biodiversity net gain, which means that the natural environment around the site will be improved through measures such as landscaping and habitat creation.
Subject to planning approval and the necessary consents, construction is expected to begin following the planning process. The works will be delivered in phases over several years, with updates provided as the programme develops. We will continue to keep local communities and stakeholders informed ahead of key stages of construction and plan on undertaking a full programme of consultation prior to the submission of the reserved matters application.
If planning approval is granted for the Tees Dock Substation, a community fund will be unlocked.
Shaped by the community, for the community, the fund will be designed to reflect local needs and developed in line with government guidance. We will share further information as the project progresses, including opportunities for local people to help shape the fund and its priorities.
You can find the latest updates on this website as the project develops.
If you have any questions, you can contact the project team:
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 0800 130 3711 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5:30pm)
Our team will be happy to help and will respond to enquiries as quickly as possible.