Give your views on Essex power network plans

National Grid is asking the residents of Chelmsford for their views on plans for a new power network to carry green energy to the population of Essex.

The project to reinforce the electricity network in East Anglia is still at an early stage of development. This public consultation will give local communities the first opportunity to see the plans and to provide feedback. The consultation will run until Thursday 16 June.

Residents encouraged to have their say

Some of the extended network from Norfolk to Tilbury will be routed through areas of Chelmsford. National Grid is consulting with Chelmsford City Council and its residents about this, and the council is encouraging people to have their say.

National Grid will listen to the views of local people and will take their comments into consideration as they develop the proposals in more detail. There’ll be another opportunity to comment on the proposals before National Grid submits their plans to the Planning Inspectorate in late 2024.

Renewable and low carbon power network

The reinforcement is needed to carry more renewable and low carbon power from offshore wind and interconnectors (subsea electricity cables to share electricity between the UK and Europe) as well as new proposed nuclear generation at Sizewell C.

The plans include building a new 400,000 volt (400 kV) electricity transmission line between Norwich main substation in Norfolk, and Bramford substation in Suffolk, and between Bramford substation and Tilbury substation in Essex.

The new reinforcement is expected to be around 180 km long. It will mostly consist of overhead transmission lines and new 45-50m tall steel lattice pylons. Some underground cables would be used where the route crosses an area of outstanding natural beauty like Dedham Vale or across national parks.

Proposals can be found online

The power lines are proposed to go to the north and west of Chelmsford and Writtle. You can see the proposals for the Chelmsford area, including an interactive map as part of the East Anglia GREEN plans on the National Grid website.

The project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This means that while National Grid is seeking feedback from Chelmsford City Council as part of its current consultation, a final decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent will rest with The Secretary of State.  

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“This reinforcement between Norwich and Tilbury is essential to carry more clean energy to homes and businesses across the UK, and to help the country reach net zero by 2050. We hope local residents will be able to join us and hear more about what we are proposing and give us their feedback on our plans.”

Liam Walker, Project Director for East Anglia GREEN

Public events coming up

Members of the public will be able to take part in the consultation and speak with National Grid’s team by attending consultation events, online webinars, booking a slot at an ‘ask the experts’ session or visiting the project website.

Paper copies of consultation materials will also be available to view at several locations in the local area. Details of consultation events are available on the National Grid website.

A series of public events are also being held during the eight week consultation period. Events planned in and close to Chelmsford at present are:

• Thursday 28 April, 2 to 6.30pm, Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Centre, 7 High Street, Ingatestone CM4 9ED
• Wednesday 4 May, 12 to 6.30pm, Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham CM8 2DY
• Tuesday 24 May, 11am to 5.30pm, Writtle Village Hall, 18 The Green, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3DU