Frequently asked questions
On this page you will find answers to some of the most common questions about Chesterfield to Willington.
About Chesterfield to Willington
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is proposing to upgrade the electricity transmission network through the construction of a new high-voltage electricity transmission line with associated works in Derbyshire. The overhead line will connect a new substation at Chesterfield to the existing Willington Substation.
We need to upgrade the grid now, including the existing network in the East Midlands, because it does not currently have the capacity to deliver future electricity demand to where it will be needed. Chesterfield to Willington would play an important role in transporting more secure, cleaner, home-grown energy from more affordable sources – generated off the coast of Britain – to around two million homes in the Midlands and beyond.
Guidance from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) identified that the existing transmission network in this region requires an essential upgrade to be able to transport the increased energy supply.
Our earlier work on the Project, as presented at Stage 1 consultation, detailed the strategic options considered and concluded that a new 400 kV overhead line of approximately 60 km between a new Chesterfield Substation and the existing Willington Substation represented the most appropriate solution.
National Grid only develops new infrastructure where the existing transmission system cannot be further upgraded to meet security standards, where increases in demand cannot 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.
Our Strategic Options Report Update provides an overview of our approach to date.
As our current plans propose more than 2 kilometres (km) of overhead line at a voltage exceeding 132kV, 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.
The feedback we receive during Stage 2 consultation 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 the application meets the required standards 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 to 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 for Energy Security and Net Zero, including a recommendation, within three months of the close of examination. The Secretary of State has a further three months to decide on whether to grant or refuse development consent.
To find out more about the DCO process, please visit the Planning Inspectorate website.
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, considering factors such as reliability, environmental impact, land use, and value for money.
Chesterfield to Willington would play an important role in transporting more secure, cleaner, home-grown electricity from more affordable sources – generated off the coast of Britain – to around two million homes in the Midlands and beyond.
The most common type of pylon used on the electricity transmission network in England and Wales is the steel lattice design with three cross arms. This is the familiar tower seen across much of the country.
On this Project, our starting assumption is that we would use standard steel lattice pylons, in line with national planning policy and National Grid’s guidance.
There are already 132 kV and 275 kV overhead lines in the area, including near substations at Chesterfield and Willington, and around Pilsley, Alfreton, Locko Park and Dale Abbey. Using a similar design can help maintain a consistent appearance locally.
We will continue to assess the pylon design as the project develops, taking account of consultation feedback, survey work and detailed studies. For now, our initial assessments are based on standard lattice pylons.
The red line on our Stage 2 maps shows the draft Order Limits. These are the proposed boundaries within which all elements of the Project – including construction, operation and associated works – may take place. They show the land or rights that may be needed.
Some sections appear on roads away from the main limits to allow temporary access for construction activities.
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 we cannot reinforce the existing network 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.
While developing our proposals, we looked at several possible routes to connect Chesterfield and Willington. Some of these early route options considered for Chesterfield to Willington included land set aside for the Eastern Leg of HS2. These were not taken forward for several reasons, including environmental concerns, technical challenges, and higher costs.
We anticipate we’ll submit our application for development consent in 2027 with a decision expected in 2028. Should consent be granted, preparation works could begin later that year with construction starting in 2029. The new infrastructure could become operational in 2031.
Infrastructure
Pylons support high-voltage overhead lines, the cables that carry electricity as alternating current across the country. They keep these lines safely elevated over roads, rivers, valleys and railway tracks.
Overhead lines can transmit higher amounts of electricity than underground and subsea cables in one piece of infrastructure. For example, a single line of pylons can transport around 6,930 megawatts (MW), whereas the largest underground high voltage direct current (HVDC) system could transport 2,000 MW.
Electricity substations are a vital link in the energy network, acting as the heart of our electrical
infrastructure. They connect power sources like wind farms and power stations to the grid, efficiently managing the flow of electricity to homes and businesses.
Substations are crucial for maintaining a healthy and reliable energy network. Without them, it would be impossible to deliver electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed. They play a key role in ensuring that we all have access to the power that runs our daily lives.
Local communities and the environment
The Government has published guidance on how new electricity transmission infrastructure projects like ours should deliver community benefit funds.
We believe communities which host new electricity infrastructure should benefit from doing so. Millions of pounds will be available to benefit local communities and the wider area from projects such as this. We are interested in your views on how it should be spent.
Across the region, we will build partnerships and invest in skills and employment opportunities. We want to leave a positive socioeconomic legacy alongside reliable grid infrastructure.
To help us deliver community benefit programmes that work for your area, we are keen to hear your views. We want to understand what is important to you, and where community benefit funds could deliver long-lasting benefits. This could include support for skills and training, improving green spaces, or investing in community facilities. We will develop our plans in partnership with residents, charity and community groups and elected representatives.
Tell us your views by filling out our Community Benefit Survey.
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 speaking 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 across the proposed route 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.
As part of our Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR), 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. We are considering opportunities 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 (BNG) is an approach to development, land and marine management that leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before the development took place.
Electric fields are produced by voltage and magnetic fields by current flowing through a conductor. Overhead lines are a source of two fields: the electric field (produced by the voltage) and the magnetic field (produced by the current). Underground cables eliminate the electric field altogether as it is screened out by the sheath around the cable, but they still produce magnetic fields.
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’s 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 or 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.
The feedback reports from all our public consultations will be included in the Project’s Development Consent Order (DCO) application, which will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
We will continue to keep our 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
Surveys are taking place throughout the Project area. Please visit our Landowners and surveys page for current survey activity information.
Surveys are taking place throughout the Project area. Please visit our Landowners and surveys page for current survey activity information.
UK Habitat Classification surveys can be undertaken all year round, however there are some habitats which have key seasonal constraints (such as great crested newts, breeding birds, water voles and ground level tree assessments to inform further bat survey requirements).
Please visit our Landowners and surveys page for more information.
About National Grid
National Grid delivers electricity safely, reliably and efficiently to the customers and communities we serve – all while working towards building a more secure, affordable and cleaner energy future.
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.
The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest upgrade of the electricity network in England and Wales in a generation. The way we generate electricity has changed and is continuing to change. Demand for electricity is set to double by 2050 as the way we power our homes, businesses, industry and transport changes. We need to upgrade the grid now to ensure we can meet this increase in demand.
You can visit The Great Grid Upgrade page for more information.
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