Consultation on Norwich to Tilbury transmission infrastructure

A picture of a row of wind turbines on the shore line

National Grid has announced the commencement of the second non-statutory consultation for the Norwich to Tilbury transmission infrastructure project, formerly known as East Anglia GREEN.

The proposed project aims to construct approximately 183 kilometers of transmission infrastructure as part of The Great Grid Upgrade.

The NFU will be submitting a comprehensive response to this consultation on behalf of all members affected. In this response, any issues that impact our members which require attention from National Grid will be raised.

You can read the details on the consultation in full at: Nationalgrid.com | Norwich to Tilbury

27 June 2023

National Grid consults on its preferred draft alignment

The consultation period will run for eight weeks, concluding on 21 August 2023.

This stage represents the early development phase, and National Grid is seeking feedback on its preferred draft alignment. The alignment showcases potential positions for overhead lines, associated pylons, underground cables, cable sealing end compounds (where overhead lines connect to underground cables), and connection substations.

Constructive feedback from stakeholders and the public will play a vital role in refining and enhancing the project's proposals.

To facilitate the consultation process, National Grid will be conducting online webinars that will provide a comprehensive presentation of the project details, followed by a dedicated question and answer session. The webinar schedule is as follows:

  • Saturday 12 August: 10-11am
  • Thursday 17 August: 10-11am

For detailed information and access to interactive maps and consultation materials, interested parties are encouraged to visit the National Grid's website at: Nationalgrid.com | Norwich to Tilbury

How can I take part?

Individual landowners and their appointed agents will receive communication regarding the consultation process and will be offered meetings to discuss the proposed draft route alignment. 

For any inquiries or further information, please call the Norwich-Tilbury lands team on: 0808 1753 314 or email at: [email protected]

The NFU strongly encourages all affected farmers affected by the proposed route to actively participate in this consultation.

Your input is crucial in highlighting any concerns you may have regarding pylon locations. Additionally, please ensure that you inform National Grid about any features that could potentially influence pylon placement, such as listed buildings.

We also welcome your comments and suggestions in order to help feed into our consultation response and to highlight any issues you want us to raise. Please give us your thoughts by filling in our form below:

Fill out my online form.

16 June 2022

We highlight issues in our response to the consultation

The NFU responded to the consultation on behalf of farmers and growers.

Our response highlights issues including the lack of underground and offshore options that have been considered and the need for the project in light of the review currently being undertaken into the offshore transmission network.

Member download: NFU response to National Grid East Anglia Green Energy Enablement (GREEN) Project Consultation

Our response looks at:

  • Scheme route
  • Requirement for the network reinforcement
  • Alternative technologies
  • Offshore
  • Underground
  • Alternative tower types
  • Environmental mitigation and biodiversity net gain
  • Consultation with landowners
  • Impact on agricultural businesses
  • Amount of land to be taken for the scheme

Further engagement

We would like to engage further with National Grid on behalf of members that may be affected by the proposed scheme.

We would like to hold a meeting with National Grid once further information is available on the cables being laid underground and the possibility of the cables being offshore.

Next steps

National Grid anticipate launching its statutory consultation in May 2023 before submitting its application for a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate in December 2024.

Please note that these timescales are indicative and may change as the project develops.

Are you affected? Get in touch.

If you are a member who is affected by the scheme, and have not already done so, please register with your regional office to ensure your interests are represented by the NFU.

16 June 2022

Consultation closes

This consultation closed on Thursday 16 June.

21 April 2022

National grid launches public consultation

On 21 April, National Grid launched a non-statutory consultation on East Anglia Green Energy Enablement (GREEN) proposals. 

The consultation ran until Friday 16 June.

You can read about the consultation on the National Grid website. Visit nationalgrid.com.

The East Anglia Green Energy Enablement project (East Anglia GREEN) is being developed by National Grid to reinforce the high voltage power network in East Anglia between the existing substations at Norwich Main in Norfolk, Bramford in Suffolk and Tilbury in Essex.

The project will also connect new offshore wind generation to the grid.

The proposals include building a new 400kV overhead line, and underground cable through the Dedhem Vale AONB, work at existing substations and building a new substation in the Tendring district to connect new proposed offshore wind farms to the electricity transmission network.

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Summary

  • The East Anglia Green Energy Enablement project is being developed by National Grid to reinforce the high voltage power network in East Anglia between the existing substations at Norwich Main in Norfolk, Bramford in Suffolk and Tilbury in Essex.
  • The project will also connect new offshore wind generation to the grid.
  • Proposals include building a new 400kV overhead line, and underground cable through the Dedhem Vale AONB, work at existing substations and building a new substation in the Tendring district to connect new proposed offshore wind farms to the electricity transmission network.
  • 21 April 2022: National Grid launched a non-statutory consultation in April which closed on the 16 June.
  • Our response highlights issues including the lack of considered underground and offshore options that and the need for the project in light of the review currently being undertaken into the offshore transmission network.
  • 27 June 2023: National grid launches second non-statutory consultation for the Norwich to Tilbury transmission infrastructure project, formerly known as East Anglia GREEN.