National Grid has submitted a planning application for a major upgrade to the electricity transmission network between the Norwich Main substation in Norfolk, via Bramford in Suffolk, to a new Tilbury North substation connecting into the Tilbury substation in Essex.
The Norwich to Tilbury scheme is intended to boost capacity across East Anglia, which has become a major hub for offshore wind, and move more homegrown power to where it is needed.
The project forms part of the Great Grid Upgrade, a programme of 17 major infrastructure schemes in England and Wales. National Grid says the upgrade will support growing electricity demand across the region and nationally, with enough capacity to power up to six million homes and businesses, as demand is expected to double by 2050.
According to the application, the works would deliver a new high-voltage transmission route approximately 180km long, using a mix of overhead lines and sections of underground cable. Following public feedback, an underground section has been added near Great Horkesley, close to the Dedham Vale National Landscape.
The submission follows several years of engagement with local authorities, elected representatives, technical consultees, affected landowners and communities. National Grid says it received around 20,000 pieces of feedback, which it says has led to “meaningful changes” in the final proposals.
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.”
If the project secures development consent, construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and take around four years to complete.
