National Grid invites local community to share views on updated proposals for electricity upgrade project between Norwich and Tilbury
- Latest public consultation follows the initial consultation in 2022 and will run for eight weeks asking for local peoples’ opinions on updated proposals which include further detail on the potential location of infrastructure.
- Proposals include approximately 180 km of new electricity network between existing substations in Norwich, Bramford and Tilbury, and a new substation in Tendring to connect to new offshore wind generation and an interconnector.
- The proposed new infrastructure will be able to transport 6 gigawatts enough to power 6 million homes in East Anglia and across the country, helping the UK reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to lower energy bills in the long term.
- The project, formerly known as East Anglia GREEN, forms part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the grid in generations which will see significant new infrastructure built across England and Wales to connect clean, renewable energy from where it’s generated out at sea to where it’s needed by communities.
National Grid is inviting communities between Norwich and Tilbury to comment on updated proposals for a new electricity power line project that will help deliver the UK’s energy security strategy and net zero targets. The eight-week public consultation, which starts on 27 June and runs until 21 August, will share proposals for Norwich to Tilbury, a new high-voltage electricity power line and associated infrastructure.
The proposed new infrastructure will be able to transport 6 gigawatts enough to power 6 million homes in the East of England and across the country, helping the UK reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to lower energy bills in the long term.
The project forms part of National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, which will see significant new infrastructure built across England and Wales to connect clean, renewable energy from where it’s generated out at sea to where it’s needed by communities across the UK. The new network is the largest overhaul of the grid in generations, enabling homes and businesses in East Anglia and across the UK to use renewable energy to power the things they love in years to come.
Following its first consultation in 2022 National Grid is sharing new detail with communities along the proposed route, including potential positions for overhead lines and associated pylons, underground cables, cable sealing end compounds (where overhead lines are joined to underground cables) and a connection substation.
The further detail included within the updated proposals is based on cost, engineering and environmental assessments as well as impacts on biodiversity, ecology, the historic environment and visual landscape. The cost of all National Grid projects are ultimately paid for by consumer energy bills, and onshore power lines are significantly cheaper than an equivalent offshore solution.
We’re proposing new infrastructure that will connect this green energy to the grid and allow clean electricity to power homes and businesses across East Anglia and the UK, boosting our home-grown energy security and progress towards net zero.
Liam Walker, Project Director for Norwich to Tilbury, commented: “The government’s net zero target means an increase in new renewable electricity generation such as offshore wind power.
“We’re proposing new infrastructure that will connect this green energy to the grid and allow clean electricity to power homes and businesses across East Anglia and the UK, boosting our home-grown energy security and progress towards net zero.
“The feedback we received in last year’s initial consultation has been valuable in helping us to further shape our proposals. This latest consultation is another part of our engagement with communities and stakeholders along the proposed route and we encourage people to share their views on the updated proposals.”
Members of the public will be able to take part in the consultation and speak with National Grid’s team by attending consultation events, online webinars, or by visiting the project website. Paper copies of consultation materials will also be available to view at several locations in the local area.
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Date and time |
Venue |
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Thursday 6 July 2pm-7pm |
The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, CM15 9NN |
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Friday 7 July 2pm-7pm |
Diss Youth & Community Centre, Shelfanger Road, Diss, IP22 4EH |
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Saturday 8 July 11am-4pm |
Lawford Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford, Manningtree CO11 2JE |
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Monday 10 July 1pm-6pm |
Tibenham Community Hall, Pristow Green Lane, Tibenham, Norwich NR16 1PX |
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Tuesday 11 July 11am-4pm |
Blackbourne Community Centre, 71 Blackbourne Road, Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds, IP30 9UH |
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Wednesday 12 July 2pm-7pm |
Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford, CM3 1QP |
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Thursday 13 July 2pm-7pm |
Langham Community Centre, School Road, Langham, Colchester, CO4 5PA |
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Monday 17 July 2pm-7pm |
The Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays, RM16 2JU |
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Tuesday 18 July 1pm-6pm |
Tasburgh Village Hall, Grove Lane, Tasburgh, NR15 1LR |
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Wednesday 19 July 2pm-7pm |
Copdock Village Hall, Old London Road, Copdock, IP8 3JN |
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Thursday 20 July 2pm-7pm |
Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham, CM8 2DY |
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Friday 21 July 2pm-7pm |
Basildon Sporting Village, Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, SS14 3GR |
Contact for media information only:
Helen Blake
+44 7790 824788
Notes to Editors
Further background on the electricity network in East Anglia
The high voltage electricity transmission network in East Anglia was developed in the 1960s to supply regional demand. Until now it has been able to meet this. But by the end of the decade the amount of renewable and low carbon energy connecting to the network is set to dramatically increase.
The existing network in East Anglia currently carries around 4.5 gigawatts of electricity generation. By 2031 we expect between 14 gigawatts and 18.5 gigawatts of new generation and interconnection to connect in the region. (Approximately 1 gigawatt of generation can power 1m homes.)
We are already carrying out work to upgrade the existing transmission network in East Anglia, however even with these upgrades the network will not be sufficient. Norwich to Tilbury is a key part of our wider investment programme to upgrade our electricity transmission network in East Anglia to ensure we meet this future energy transmission demand.
Further background on the planning process for Norwich to Tilbury
As current proposals include more than 2 km of overhead line, it is expected that the project will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project under the Planning Act 2008. This requires a special type of planning application known as a ‘Development Consent Order’ (DCO). An independent panel of inspectors is appointed to review any DCO application. The inspectors issue a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero who makes the final decision whether to grant planning permission.
National Grid anticipates holding a statutory consultation in 2024 before submitting a DCO application in 2025.
About National Grid
National Grid sits at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting millions of people and businesses to the energy they use every day. National Grid is working to build a cleaner, fairer and more affordable energy system that serves everyone, powering the future of our homes, transport and industry. National Grid Electricity Transmission, owns, builds and maintains the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. It is National Grid Electricity Transmission that is developing the plans for Norwich to Tilbury.
National Grid has recently launched the largest overhaul of the grid in generations. The Great Grid Upgrade is part of National Grid’s continued programme of investment into the UK energy transition, which will see £16bn invested from 2021-2026 to support the UK’s net zero goals. National Grid is one of the largest green investors in the FTSE.
All projects that are part of The Great Grid Upgrade will include specific locations in their names to make it easy for people to understand what and where new grid infrastructure is being proposed.
*The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is consulting on a recommended approach to community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure.
