National Grid invites local communities to help shape Community Fund potentially worth over £1 million as Blyth Substation project reaches important milestone

National Grid is inviting people in East Bedlington, Cambois, Blyth and surrounding communities to help shape a proposed Community Fund worth up to £1.06 million, after plans for the first phase of the Blyth Substation project were approved.

The four-week consultation, running from Monday 9 November to Sunday 6 December 2026, will ask local people, charities, community groups and organisations about their priorities and where funding could make the greatest difference.
 

The consultation follows an important milestone for the project, with National Grid securing all the necessary consents for the first phase of work at Blyth Substation. Early-stage work is now underway, and main construction is expected to begin in February.
 

About the project
 

As part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest upgrade of the electricity grid in generations, National Grid is delivering upgrades at Blyth Substation to connect new customers to the network and help meet future energy needs. 

The project will be delivered in two phases, with phase one involving extending the existing Blyth Substation to provide an initial connection for the Cambois Data Centre Campus.
 

Phase two proposes building a new substation nearby to provide additional capacity for the data centre campus and to connect the proposed Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, with plans to be shared next year.
 

Leon Fussell, Senior Project Manager at National Grid, said:

“We are pleased to secure planning permission for phase one of the project which will help provide the capacity needed to meet future electricity demand in the area and support economic growth across the region.

"We now want to hear from as many local people and organisations as possible during our community fund consultation.

“The Blyth Substation Community Fund represents a significant opportunity to support local communities in Northumberland, and it is important that the funding reflects the needs and priorities of the people who live and work in the area.

“We encourage everyone to give their views on how this funding could make the biggest difference.”

Help shape the Community Fund
 

The Blyth Substation project could provide a Community Fund of up to £1.06 million, with £530,000 allocated to each phase of the project. These funds are developed in line with Government guidance on community funds for electricity transmission infrastructure and are designed to reflect local needs, supporting projects that benefit people into the future.

As part of the consultation, National Grid is seeking feedback on four proposed funding themes that have been informed by local priorities:
 

• Adult employment, skills and opportunities: Supporting access to employment, skills and training and helping local people benefit from future economic growth.
 

• Health and wellbeing: Supporting physical and mental wellbeing, reducing social isolation and strengthening community support.
 

• Education and young people: Supporting educational attainment, raising aspirations and providing opportunities for children and young people.
 

• Environment and place: Improving green and community spaces, supporting the local environment, strengthening local pride and sense of place.

Feedback will help National Grid understand which priorities matter most to local communities.
 

Have your say
 

National Grid will attend two community events in November where residents and local organisations can meet the project team, find out more and share their views:

• Saturday 21 November, 10am-6pm
Blyth Christmas Lights Switch On, Market Place, Blyth, NE24 1BW.

• Saturday 28 November, 10am-3pm
East Bedlington Community Centre Christmas Fayre, 16–17 Station Road, Bedlington, NE22 7JN.

An online webinar will take place on Tuesday 17 November at 6.30pm, providing an opportunity to learn more about the Community Fund and how to participate. Residents can visit the project website to register.
 

Alongside the public consultation, National Grid will be engaging with local community organisations, elected representatives and parish councils.

Next steps
 

Following the consultation, National Grid will review the feedback and develop a strategy setting out how the Community Fund will be delivered. It is expected that the Community Fund will be launched in summer 2027.

Residents and organisations can share their views by completing the online survey at www.nationalgrid.com/blythsubstation. The deadline for feedback is Sunday 6 December 2026.
 

Further information is available on the project website or by contacting National Grid at [email protected] or on 0800 130 3711 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm).