National Grid has brought its new Little Horsted substation into operation, adding around 0.5 GW of capacity to the transmission network in the South East.
While 0.5 GW may not sound like a lot, National Grid says it is enough capacity to power around 480,000 homes and will help support rising electricity demand in the region. The substation is located along the line of pylons between Bolney and Ninfield and will also support UK Power Networks as it works to increase capacity for customers locally.
The project forms part of National Grid’s wider investment in the South East, with the company planning to invest £2.7 billion between 2026 and 2031 to maintain, upgrade and futureproof the network.
Little Horsted was built over a two-year period. As part of the work, two 178-tonne supergrid transformers were transported 27 miles from Shoreham Port to the site in October 2024.
Paul Alchin, National Grid Project Manager, commented, “We are extremely pleased that the 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 the 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, added, “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.”
