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The Great Grid Upgrade: Everything We Know So Far
This major initiative by the National Grid is designed to update the UK’s existing electricity infrastructure. As they work with local planning authorities and ecologists to understand the land in the selected areas, we are here to help you with your species surveys by providing kits, analysis and reports.
Great Grid Upgrade Overview
The Great Grid Upgrade is a major initiative by the National Grid, designed to update the UK’s existing electricity infrastructure. This ambitious project, one that hasn’t been seen in generations, aims to ‘scale up the grid’, allowing us to be prepared for the future.
Designed in an era that was dominated by coal and gas means that it no longer serves if we want a greener and more sustainable world. With the UK’s demand increasing, the transition to renewable energy sources should enable us to continue powering everything from homes and businesses to electric vehicles and public transport.
By 2030, they have said they will need to construct five times more infrastructure than they have over the past three decades, alongside other critical upgrades to the grid.
What does the Great Grid upgrade involve?
This nationwide project includes a mix of onshore works, such as power lines, substations, and solar power sites, and offshore works, including wind turbines, cable tunnels and electricity links like the new Viking Link interconnector, which joins Lincolnshire and Southern Jutland in Denmark.
According to sources, these upgrades are essential for integrating renewable energy into the grid, such as wind and solar power, thereby supporting the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero targets.
Where is the Great Grid Upgrade taking place?
The Great Grid Upgrade is taking place across various parts of the UK, with 17 proposed projects.
These include major plans for regions such as Chesterfield to Willington (new overhead line and substation), Norwich to Tilbury (reinforcement of the current power network) and Yorkshire Green (new infrastructure from substations to overhead lines).
For more information on these, please visit here: The Great Grid Upgrade | Making our electricity fit for the future (nationalgrid.com)
What does this mean for ecologists?
For you as an ecologist, the Great Grid Upgrade presents potential opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, integrating renewable energy sources facilitated by these projects should significantly reduce carbon emissions, contributing to environmental conservation and climate change mitigation efforts. On the other hand, constructing and upgrading transmission lines and substations can have environmental impacts, including habitat disruption and potential harm to wildlife if they are unaware of what is present.
To address these concerns, the National Grid has said it is committed to conducting thorough environmental assessments and implementing measures to mitigate adverse effects. This includes working with Natural England, local planning authorities, and local ecology organisations and consultants to ensure that best practices are adopted in construction by investing in minimising ecological disruption.
Most stage 1 feedback meetings are now completed, with only Chesterfield to Willington concluding in September. With the potential for further survey opportunities across the UK once feedback is taken in consideration, we are happy to support you with any necessary kits, analysis and reports to demonstrate the different species potentially present.