National Grid submits planning application to upgrade electricity network between Norwich and Tilbury

National Grid confirms it has submitted an application to the Planning Inspectorate, to build a new electricity transmission network upgrade between Norwich Main substation in Norfolk via Bramford substation in Suffolk and a new Tilbury North substation into Tilbury substation in Essex. The Norwich to Tilbury project will boost electricity capacity across East Anglia, a powerhouse of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, but a region that has historically had limited transmission infrastructure. 

The Norwich to Tilbury project is part of The Great Grid Upgrade, 17 major infrastructure projects in England and Wales designed to help deliver more homegrown British energy to where it is needed, supporting increasing demand for electricity across East Anglia and the whole of the country, as well as boosting local economies, creating jobs, and providing cleaner, more affordable energy.  

These projects are vital to increase Britain’s energy security and meet growing demand for electricity in the years ahead. With demand expected to double by 2050, the Norwich to Tilbury upgrade will provide enough electricity to power up to six million homes and businesses. 

Over the past few years, multiple rounds of public consultation have been held with local authorities, elected officials, technical consultees, affected landowners and local communities.   

This comprehensive public engagement, alongside environmental assessments and technical work have helped National Grid to develop final plans for the proposed works, which would see the construction of a new, 180km high voltage electricity transmission line using a combination of overhead line and underground cables.  

The project received around 20,000 pieces of community feedback, which has led to meaningful changes being made, including the introduction of an underground cable section near Great Horkesley, close to Dedham Vale National Landscape. 

Simon Pepper, Project Director, commented:

As our demand for electricity grows the way we generate electricity is changing. This project will connect our homes, businesses and public services to sources of home-grown British energy which will lower our electricity bills in the long-term and make us more energy independent.

We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in consultations held on the proposals. Listening to people is a key part of developing a project and we’ve made hundreds of changes based on what we’ve heard. Community feedback has been vital in informing our final plans, which also include a commitment to working with local and national wildlife experts to leave lasting benefits and strong protections for local wildlife and habitats.

Our application submission marks a significant milestone for the Norwich to Tilbury project, which continues to be an essential part of the UK’s transition towards a cleaner energy future, by helping to connect renewable and low carbon energy to homes and businesses across the UK.

Since the initial stages of public consultation guidance on benefits for communities hosting new electricity transmission infrastructure has been published by the Government. National Grid believes communities which host new electricity infrastructure should benefit from doing so. In line with this guidance, we expect millions of pounds to be available to benefit local communities, and the wider area should the project achieve planning consent. 

Should the application receive development consent, construction would begin in 2027 and take around four years. More information on the project can be found on the National Grid website.