Hinkley Connection Project reaches major milestone as northern section is energised

National Grid has reached a significant milestone on its Hinkley Connection Project, with 44km of new overhead powerlines now energised between Sandford and Seabank.

The switch on strengthens the south west’s electricity infrastructure and enables more power to be moved securely across National Grid’s transmission network in England and Wales.

Once fully completed, the Hinkley Connection Project will bring sources of low-carbon, homegrown energy to six million homes and businesses across the UK, including from the new Hinkley Point C power station.

This milestone marks the end of construction across the project’s northern section, and follows months of planned works between Melksham, Sandford Substation and Seabank.

The northern section includes 95 out of the project’s 146 pylons, including 68 new T-pylons between Towerhead and Crooks Marsh.  

The completion of the northern route builds on the earlier energisation of the southern route in 2023. The project team will now focus on restoring land along the northern section of the route to pre-construction condition.

With just 13 T-pylons now left to be energised, the next major phase of works will take place during planned outages at Huntspill, enabling additional sections of the route to be connected and brought into service, moving the project closer to full completion.  

The Hinkley Connection Project spans 57km in total between National Grid’s new Shurton substation on the Hinkley Point C site and its existing Seabank substation in Avonmouth.  

48.5km is made up of overhead lines – mostly T-pylons – while an 8.5km stretch of underground cable runs through the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Since construction started, National Grid’s Community Grant Programme, aimed at community organisations and charities in areas near to National Grid’s operations and construction activities, has awarded more than £1.4 million to fund a wide range of projects.  

In addition to this, National Grid has provided 1,951 grants to local schools totalling £1,311,500, benefitting more than 500,000 young people. This includes funding workshops to inspire the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) professionals.

Mark Lissimore, Director of Infrastructure Delivery at National Grid, said:

"This is a landmark moment for the Hinkley Connection Project and represents years of careful planning, construction, and collaboration with local communities.  

“Energising the northern section is a significant step towards completing the project and delivering the infrastructure needed to carry low‑carbon, homegrown electricity to around six million homes and businesses.

“We are proud of the work completed so far and grateful to local communities for their patience as we’ve delivered this essential upgrade to the network.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:

“This is yet another milestone in building an energy system that is fit for the future.

“Powering up this new part of the grid will connect millions of homes and businesses to the clean, homegrown nuclear power at Hinkley Point C – helping to secure energy independence from fossil fuels and lower bills.”

Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution business, said:  

“Working closely with National Grid and our supply chain partners, we are proud to have contributed to strengthening the electricity network in the South West, enabling the reliable transmission of low carbon, homegrown energy to millions of homes and businesses.

“This achievement reflects the expertise of our teams and the strong collaboration across the project, and we now look forward to supporting the final stages as the route moves towards full completion.”