National Grid’s Little Horsted substation is now operational
National Grid’s new Little Horsted substation is now energised and operational, adding around 0.5GW of capacity to the transmission network, enough to power 480,000 homes.
The substation is located along the line of pylons running between Bolney and Ninfield and forms part of National Grid’s continued investment in its network across the South East, with £2.7bn investment planned between 2026-31 to maintain, upgrade and futureproof the network.
It will in turn help the local distribution network operator (DNO), UK Power Networks meet increased demand for electricity in the region.
Last year in the area, National Grid undertook a multimillion pound refurbishment of its overhead electricity transmission network between substations in Lovedean, East Hampshire, and Bolney.
National Grid delivered a record year for electricity connections in 2025, plugging 2.4 GW of new generation into the transmission network, and around half a gigawatt of demand (including connecting capacity for DNOs such as at Little Horsted).
The Little Horsted substation was built over a two-year period and involved the initial removal of around 65,000 cubic metres of earth to level the site, which was transported for local use to resurface polo fields in Polegate as well as to cap and landscape a landfill site in Horsham.
In October 2024 a convoy of two giant supergrid transformers, each weighing 178 tonnes, made their 27-mile journey from Shoreham Port in Brighton to Little Horsted, where they were installed.
As part of the project, 24 acres of land in Framfield have been transformed into an eco-rich area benefiting protected species by the National Grid team. The land was improved through planting to provide new habitats for great crested newts, reptiles, dormice, bats and badgers.
Paul Alchin, National Grid Project Manager, said:
“We are extremely pleased that Little Horsted substation is operational and connected to our network. This development ensures a continued safe and secure supply of energy fit for the future.
“Over the next few months our construction team will leave site. We’ll also be planting new trees and hedgerow, weather permitting, and reinstating areas in consultation with landowners.
“We upgraded one of the overhead line circuits coming in and out of Little Horsted substation as part of the new development and will return to upgrade the second circuit at a later date.”
Paul Maslen, Project Manager at UK Power Networks, said:
“The completion of this major substation will enable us to finish our adjacent substation which will offer increased energy capacity for our customers in the area who are set to use more electricity in future - including new connections. Most of the work on this, which is a separate project, is due to be completed by the Spring of 2027.”
Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission and Distribution business, said:
“We are proud to have worked alongside National Grid to deliver the Little Horsted substation, supporting the continued reliability and resilience of the electricity transmission network in the South East.
“The completion of this project reflects the expertise of our teams and our strong collaboration with project partners to safely deliver critical infrastructure that enables future growth and demand.”