National Grid, the UK's electricity transmission network operator, has initiated a public consultation period to gather feedback on its proposed power line project aimed at aiding the country's net zero targets. Communities residing in the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, and Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire have been invited to participate in the eight-week consultation, commencing on June 1st and concluding on July 27th. The project, known as the North Humber to High Marnham high voltage line, intends to enhance access to clean electricity from offshore wind and other renewable sources by upgrading the existing network of overhead lines, pylons, cables, and infrastructure.
Due to the rising generation of renewable electricity from offshore wind and solar power, the current power lines connecting the North and the Midlands lack sufficient capacity to accommodate the increased power flows. In response, National Grid plans to construct a new 90 km, 400kV overhead power line between the newly proposed substations at Creyke Beck and High Marnham, thereby bolstering the network's capacity.
For a significant portion of the route, the proposed corridor for the new power line aligns closely with an existing overhead power line. The project's feasibility has been determined based on cost assessments, engineering evaluations, and environmental considerations, including the impacts on biodiversity, ecology, the historic environment, and visual landscape.
The project aligns with the National Grid Electricity System Operator's “Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design” report published last year. The report outlined the necessary onshore and offshore electricity transmission network enhancements required to achieve the government's net zero targets. The North Humber to High Marnham project emerged as a vital component within this framework.
Rachel Tullis, Project Director for National Grid, highlighted the government's net zero target as a driving force behind the increased generation of renewable electricity from sources such as wind and solar power. She emphasized that the proposed infrastructure aims to connect green energy from the Humber area and the North Sea to the national grid, providing clean electricity to power households and businesses across the Midlands and the entire country. Tullis further stressed the importance of fostering collaboration with local communities and organizations to ensure the project's positive impact on employment, skills development, and opportunities for local businesses in the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire.
The ongoing public consultation marks the initial stage of the project's development, allowing local communities the first opportunity to review the plans and provide their feedback. National Grid encourages individuals and stakeholders along the proposed route corridor to actively engage in the consultation process and share their perspectives.
