Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Chesterfield to Willington project. Please get in touch if you have any questions or comments.
Call our community helpline: 0800 073 1047 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5:30pm. An answering service is in place outside of these times), or you can email: [email protected].
About Chesterfield to Willington
We are proposing to build approximately 60 km of new 400 kV overhead electricity line between Chesterfield and Willington to allow us to transport cleaner, home-grown electricity generated between the north of England and the Midlands, enabling to power homes and businesses.
The proposed overhead line would connect a new substation at Chesterfield (being developed and consented as part of the Brinsworth to High Marnham proposals) and the existing Willington substation in Derbyshire.
Like much of the high-voltage electricity transmission network across the country, the transmission network was largely built in the 1960s. It was designed to connect the inland coal-fired power stations in the North and Midland areas of England, with changes occurring in the later parts of the century to connect gas-fired power stations in the Humber region. Little or no transmission infrastructure was constructed in some areas, so there is currently limited ability to support connections on the coast.
Electricity demand is expected to rise as the way we power our homes, businesses and transport changes. As the nation moves towards net zero, the fossil fuels that once powered our economy will be replaced with sources of low-carbon electricity.
The UK Government has set targets of 50 GW of offshore wind generation by 2030 and up to 140 GW by 2050. There is a particular growth forecast in offshore wind capacity in Scotland and the North East of England and increasing power flows to and from European power grids. This will put pressure on the existing network, such that reinforcement of the network in the East Midlands region has been identified as necessary to secure the operation of the transmission system and ensure reliable, economic long-term supply.
The Chesterfield to Willington project will reinforce the electricity transmission network and help to provide the necessary increased capacity between the North and the Midlands.
The UK Government has set targets for 50 GW of offshore wind electricity generation by 2030 and up to 140 GW by 2050. There is a particular growth forecast in offshore wind capacity in Scotland and the North East of England, and increasing power flows to and from European power grids. As more and more renewable and low-carbon electricity is generated in Britain from the increase of offshore wind, more pressure will be placed on the existing network.
The Midlands region has been identified as an area of the network that requires reinforcement. It is anticipated the network between the North of England and the Midlands needs to be capable of transferring around 31 GW of electricity by 2035, compared to the 11.6 GW that it can transfer today.
National Grid only develops new infrastructure where the existing transmission system cannot be further upgraded to meet systems security standards, where an increase in demand can’t be satisfied by other means or where customer connections are required.
We also consider our duties under the Electricity Act 1989, which require us to develop proposals that are efficient, coordinated and economical, and which have regard to people, the location, and the environment.
An underground alternative for Chesterfield to Willington would cost considerably more than the proposed overhead line.
Government policy strongly favours overhead lines for electricity network infrastructure, except in areas such as nationally designated landscapes, because it is a cost-effective option for all electricity bill payers. National Grid carefully assesses the relative merits of both overhead lines and underground cables for each project, taking into account factors such as reliability, environmental impact, land use, and value for money.
Different designs of pylons are used in the UK:
- standard lattice
- lower height lattice
- T-pylons
The pylons we use are influenced by several factors including technical and landscape considerations. We’ll carry out further assessments on pylon design as our proposals progress. These will include visual impacts and mitigation assessments, environmental and ecological considerations, construction, and lifetime maintenance effects.
For the purposes of initial assessments, our plans will reflect the use of standard lattice pylons.
National Grid only develops new infrastructure where the existing transmission system is operating at maximum capacity and cannot be further upgraded or enhanced by other means.
Assessment of the existing 275 kV and 400 kV overhead line infrastructure in proximity to the project area has confirmed that the current network does not provide the required reinforcement identified to meet future demand.
In identifying the Emerging Preferred Corridor, we considered how we could utilise the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and other existing infrastructure corridors. However, many locations adjacent to the SRN are already used for residential and commercial development as well as the existing overhead lines. This, along with environmental designations, means viable routes for siting new infrastructure are constrained.
We are continuing to explore if there are opportunities to site our proposed infrastructure closer to the SRN as the project progresses.
We anticipate we’ll submit our application for development consent in 2027 with a decision expected in late 2027 or early 2028. Should consent be granted, preparation works could begin later that year with construction starting in 2028. The new infrastructure could become operational in 2031.
As our current plans propose more than 2 kilometres (km) of overhead line, we expect the Project would be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008. This means we need to apply for a type of planning consent called a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build and operate it.
Consultation is an important part of the DCO process and the feedback we receive will shape our plans ahead of submitting the DCO application, which we anticipate will be in 2027.
Once the DCO application is submitted, the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State, has up to 28 days to decide whether or not the application meets the standards required to be accepted for examination.
If the application is accepted, it will go through a six-month examination period. Careful consideration is given by the Examining Authority, including all relevant and written representations, and supporting evidence. The Examining Authority is the Inspector or the Panel of Inspectors appointed to conduct the Examination of the application for the DCO.
The Planning Inspectorate must prepare a report on the application and submit this to the Secretary of State, including a recommendation, within three months of the close of the Examination. The Secretary of State has a further three months to make a decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent.
To find out more about the DCO process, please visit the Planning Inspectorate website.
Chesterfield to Willington is an essential network reinforcement to deliver on the UK’s net zero target – without it, low carbon, renewable energy generated in Scotland and the North East of England, mostly from offshore wind, would not be able to be transported to the homes and businesses that need it. Chesterfield to Willington will help connect renewable sources of energy to homes and businesses helping to deliver 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and ultimately net zero.
Local communities and the environment
Yes. We believe communities should be rewarded for hosting new transmission infrastructure essential to boosting home grown, cleaner and more affordable power for the country. The guidance, published in March 2025, offers a clear framework and will enable us to work with communities and deliver meaningful, long-term, social and economic benefits through strategic investment.
We are committed to working with our regulator, Ofgem, industry partners, local communities and their representatives to ensure these benefits are delivered fairly and effectively, driving lasting, positive change for the people and places integral to our developing electricity network.
Separate to this guidance, the Government has also announced plans for a bill discount scheme for nearby households. We will continue to work with Government as further details of this scheme emerge.
We always take great care to minimise the impacts of our work and are engaging with wildlife experts, the local Wildlife Trust, Natural England and other relevant local community groups throughout the process. We are also working with local authorities to understand the local environmental aspects. Our team includes expert ecologists, and, during construction, we will also employ experts who can help us mitigate effects on wildlife and habitats.
We are assessing the potential impacts of Chesterfield to Willington on local designated habitats and notable species. Important and designated sites include Special Areas of Conservation and Local Wildlife Sites. As part of our assessments, we are consideringopportunities for ecological enhancement, as well as avoiding and mitigating impacts.
All construction schemes have a target of delivering 10 per cent Environmental Net Gain (which must include a minimum of 10 per cent Biodiversity Net Gain). As outlined by Natural England, Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to development, land and marine management that leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before the development took place.
National Grid takes the issue of health very seriously and relies on authoritative and independent scientific organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), to review the worldwide body of scientific evidence on electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) and health, as well as reviewing the science ourselves.
We believe it is right that the decision on what is acceptable or not is made independently of industry. We ensure that all our assets comply with the guidelines set by Government on advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
A vast amount of research has been done into the possibility of health effects, without establishing any risks below these levels set by the guidelines.
For the most detailed information, visit: www.emfs.info. You can also contact the EMF helpline on: 0845 702 3270 Alternatively, email: [email protected].
Consultation
The feedback we receive is important in helping us design the route for the new overhead line and understand the issues and concerns that communities have. At each stage of consultation, we publish a feedback report summarising the feedback and themes received and providing our responses to them.
After we completed the Stage 1 consultation, we collated and analysed all feedback received and have taken it into account as we continue to refine the Project’s design.
The feedback reports from all our public consultations will be included in the Project’s Development Consent Order (DCO), which will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
We will continue to keep our project website updated with information on our proposals as our project progresses. You can also register your email to receive project updates directly from our website.
Surveys and investigations
Environmental surveys are taking place within and around the Emerging Preferred Corridor and will be ongoing throughout the project development. These are non-intrusive surveys consisting of individuals carrying out walkovers with some use of measuring equipment to inform their findings. They will help us to better understand the current conditions and inform the development of our plans.
National Grid tries to reach voluntary agreement to access the land for surveys whenever possible.
If agreement to access land for surveying cannot be reached voluntarily, Section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 authorises National Grid as an acquiring authority. It allows entry to survey land where there is a proposal to acquire an interest in or right over land.
We’ve also notified local authorities where work is taking place. Although we don’t need planning permission for this work, we believe it’s right to notify the local authority.
Allowing National Grid access to land does not stop the landowner making representations about the Project at any time and allowing us access for surveys does not affect any rights to comment in any form.
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. We bring energy to life – in the heat, light and power we bring to our customers’ homes and businesses; in the way that we support our communities and help them to grow; and in the way we show up in the world. It is our vision to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future.
We are working to build a cleaner, fairer, and more affordable energy system that serves everyone – powering the future of our homes, transport, and industry. We believe by acting now, the UK can become the world’s first major clean economy, creating growth and jobs for communities across Britain.
National Grid is a group of companies and one of those companies, National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), owns, builds and maintains the network in England and Wales. It is NGET that is developing plans for Chesterfield to Willington.
Within the National Grid Group, there are other distinctly separate legal entities, each with their individual responsibilities and roles. More information about National Grid can be found on the About Us section of National Grid’s website.
NGET owns, builds and maintains the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. This network operates primarily at 400,000 volts (400 kV) and 275,000 volts (275 kV).
It is NGET that is developing plans for Chesterfield to Willington and NGET is the electricity transmission arm within National Grid.
In December 2022 Ofgem announced plans for a new Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework for 17 large strategic onshore electricity transmission projects that need accelerating and incentivising to meet Government’s 2030 targets for offshore wind. The Great Grid Upgrade is how we are collectively referring to those 17 proposals and related works. Chesterfield to Willington is one of the 17 ASTI projects.
The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest overhaul of the grid in generations – making sure that renewable energy can move from where it’s generated to where it’s needed, enabling us all to power the things we love with cleaner energy.
It’s a big ambition – in the next seven years, the UK will need to build five times more transmission infrastructure than it has built in the last 30 years, transforming the nation’s energy network to supply the whole country with more clean, affordable energy.
You can visit nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade for more information.
The way we are all powering the things we love is changing. In the years ahead there will be greater reliance on electricity, and more of our energy will come from renewables as part of the transition to a cleaner, greener future. This means we need to build new infrastructure, as well as upgrading the existing grid, to bring this clean, green energy from where it’s generated to where it’s needed by homes and businesses. The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest overhaul of the grid in generations.
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