One of the most high-profile energy projects in the East of England has reached a fresh landmark, with National Grid submitting an application for a Development Consent Order for the Norwich to Tilbury project.
Forming part of National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, Norwich to Tilbury is one of 17 major infrastructure projects across England and Wales, and should help to boost electricity capacity across a region that has historically suffered from limited transmission infrastructure.
So what happens next?
The Planning Inspectorate now has up to 28 days to decide whether to accept the application. Should this happen, then submission documents will then be published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
This will include a Consultation Report, with National Grid having carried out more than three years of consultation with landowners, local communities and stakeholders, helping shape final proposals – which include two new substations and a new 180km transmission line.
An Examining Authority would then be appointed, holding a six-month examination of the application, given local residents, landowners and stakeholders a chance to provide comments and make sure their views are heard.
A detailed report would then be prepared, along with recommendations for the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, who would have three months to decide whether to approve the application.
National Grid is expecting the whole process to take 18 months.
Why is it a big deal?
While the project has attracted local opposition, the need for it cannot be underestimated with it set to be a key enabler for the clean energy transition.
East Anglia’s transmission network has been largely unchanged since its inception in the 1960s and centred around catering to regional demand.
With the region seeing an offshore wind revolution unfold off the coast, the development of Sizewell C and interconnection with other countries, it would no longer be realistic to assume that the network as currently is could cope.
There is no time to waste either, especially with the government pressing ahead with plans for a clean power system by 2030, and the need to drive this transition so that all can feel the benefits.
