Green light for new substation that will connect trio of offshore wind farms 

National Grid has reached a major milestone in the Humber region after achieving  planning consent for the new Birkhill Wood substation from East Riding of Yorkshire Council.  

The substation will enable National Grid to connect 4.22GW of home-grown energy to the network from three new wind farms in the North Sea – enough energy to power more than 4 million homes.  

Birkhill Wood substation, situated 700m to the north of the existing Creyke Beck substation, is part of a major investment in the grid in the North East to boost network capacity, improve resilience, and support the growth of renewable energy.

£8.6bn is due to be invested in Yorkshire and the North East network in the next five years and forms part of National Grid’s UK-wide investment to maintain, upgrade and develop the network.

Birkhill Wood will connect RWE and Masdar’s  Dogger Bank South East and Dogger Bank South West wind farms, as well as SSE Renewables and Equinor’s Dogger Bank D, which is the proposed fourth phase of the world’s largest wind farm.  

National Grid is making strong progress with the first three phases, with SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn’s Dogger Bank A complete in Spring 2023, Dogger Bank B in 2024 (both connecting at Creyke Beck) and Dogger Bank C due to connect to Lackenby in Summer 2026.

To facilitate the  development, the Birkhill Wood substation project includes construction of a new 2km access road off the A1079 to support safer access during construction and operation, while helping to minimise the impact on local communities.

Construction of the access road has now begun, with construction of the substation expected to begin in spring 2027.

The new substation will use modern gas insulation technology, enabling it to be designed with a smaller layout and footprint than open-air substations.

The plans have been shaped by extensive technical and environmental assessments, as well as feedback from local communities following a public consultation held in autumn 2024.  

This includes enhancements to landscaping to improve screening, to help the substation blend more effectively into its rural surroundings.  

 The second phase of work in the area will see Creyke Beck substation also being expanded through a project known as Wanlass Beck, which will accommodate a further 3.2GW of home-grown energy in the form battery energy storage systems and further offshore wind.  

The proposals also include a commitment to deliver at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. This will be achieved by protecting existing landscaping and trees around the site boundary and enhancing on-site habitats where possible, with investment into other local biodiversity projects when necessary.  

Birkhill Wood substation will also be the northern connection point for the North Humber to High Marnham overhead line project - part of The Great Grid Upgrade and a significant new transmission route in the region.  

The project will boost network capacity, improve resilience, and support the growth of renewable energy.  This will help to connect secure, cleaner and more affordable home-grown energy to where it is needed.

Benefits for local communities  

Communities that host new electricity infrastructure should benefit from doing so. Once construction commences on Birkihill Wood substation, grants will be  available to support local communities and the wider area, and National Grid will be inviting communities to share their views on how this funding could best be used.  

Across the North East, National Grid is also building partnerships and investing in skills, employment, and supply chain opportunities, aiming to leave a positive socio-economic legacy alongside reliable grid infrastructure for the region.  

Daniel Cohen, Senior Project Manager at National Grid, said:  

“The substation is needed to connect offshore wind farms to meet growing electricity demand and will help ensure communities across the North East have a resilient and reliable power supply as everyday life becomes increasingly electrified.  

“Strengthening the network is essential to support local businesses, future jobs and the connection of more secure, cleaner, home-grown energy from more affordable sources.  

“We also want host communities to see clear benefits, including community funding for local projects, skills, jobs, and environmental improvements.”