Warley replacement substation

Overview

National Grid is proposing a new electricity substation within the London Borough of Havering to replace and upgrade our existing Warley substation.

The replacement substation at Warley is needed because the existing substation is coming towards the end of its useful life. In addition, network upgrades and reinforcement are required in the area, and there is demand for new connections to the network. It is National Grid’s legal obligation and responsibility to connect all customers when they request power.

The new substation is also an important step to support the UK’s clean energy and economic growth goals, as National Grid upgrades the existing grid to ensure clean energy can be brought from where it’s generated to where it’s needed by homes and businesses.

A new and upgraded substation at Warley will help us fulfil all these requirements.
 

Our proposed site

After a comprehensive site appraisal process and technical review, our preferred site is immediately adjacent to and south of the existing Warley substation, by the M25 and A127, within the London Borough of Havering.

The new site will be larger in size than the existing substation due to the need to upgrade and reinforce the network and in response to increased local demand.

The site is classified as Green Belt land. Full details on the selection process, including the legally required ‘very special circumstances’ to allow Green Belt development, will be submitted within our planning application.

We are committed to ensuring that the substation design, construction, and operation mitigate any potential impact on the environment and local landscape, and measures to achieve this will be set out in our planning application.
 

Current project progress

Our project teams are currently carrying out initial site surveys to inform the planning process. These surveys will help us to understand more about the local environment and will inform the development of our proposals. You may notice our teams working in the area at various times. Please be assured all surveying activities will be carried out safely and with minimal disruption.

In 2026 we plan to engage with the local community, publish the relevant planning information and hold events locally. This will give residents the opportunity to see what we are proposing to build so they can provide their views. We will share more details about our plans and the consultation in the coming months.

We intend to finalise and submit the planning application to London Borough of Havering Council in late 2026 via the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA).
 

Our community benefits commitment

Communities play a vital role in the transition to cleaner sources of energy.  We believe those hosting energy infrastructure should benefit from doing so.

In March 2025, the UK Government published guidance for delivering community funds in areas where we need to build new onshore electricity transmission infrastructure. 

If the new substation project goes ahead, the community around Warley will be eligible for £530,000 of funding to be spent on investment that will improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the community and deliver benefits that endure over the long term.

In this case, there would be a public consultation process held in 2026 to define the eligible area, funding themes, and criteria for the investment. Local stakeholder engagement in this process will be essential to ensure local needs, priorities, and preferences are reflected.

 

Frequently asked questions