National Grid is holding a public consultation on its plans to upgrade electricity infrastructure between Grain and Tilbury until 29 October 2023.
Under the plan, the company proposes to build a new cable tunnel underneath the Thames to deliver cleaner electricity to the area, which will require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act in both Thurrock and Gravesham.
The plan also comprises of building two new headhouses to connect the tunnel at Gravesend and Tilbury and act as access points for National Grid workers, post permission from both Thurrock and Gravesham Council. A new pylon at each headhouse site will be installed by 2027 or 2028.
The proposal is part of a wider suite of infrastructure upgrades and reinforcements planned by National Grid as part of The Great Grid Upgrade, which plays a crucial role to power all homes and businesses with green energy by 2030 in the UK.
It also forms part of the ‘Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment’ program to support the government’s target of connecting 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030. These projects are approved by Ofgem and identified to help National Grid deliver its net zero targets.
National Grid is planning a refurbishment of the existing overhead line between Tilbury, Kingsnorth and the Isle of Grain, but not until 2028 and does not form part of this consultation.
“The Grain to Tilbury project is essential to upgrade the energy network in Kent and Essex to ensure that we can continue to carry more clean energy to homes and businesses, and help the country reach net zero by 2050,” said Bryan Truscott, Lead Project Manager.
