Demand for electricity is expected to rise as the way we power our homes, businesses and transport changes. The UK Government has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This means achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere and those taken out. Decarbonising the energy system is vital to achieve net zero; the fossil fuels that once powered our economy will be replaced with sources of low-carbon electricity. 

At National Grid Electricity Transmission, we’re investing around £1.3bn each year to adapt and develop our network - of pylons, overhead electricity lines, cables and substations - to connect new sources of low carbon energy to homes and businesses. We’re investing for the future, connecting more and more low carbon electricity to our network and playing a crucial role in turning the UK’s net zero ambitions into reality. 

Our Brinsworth to High Marnham project would transport clean energy from the North of England to homes and businesses in the Midlands and beyond, and play an important role in building a more secure and resilient future energy system. 

These proposals form part of The Great Grid Upgrade, which is the largest overhaul of the grid in generations. The Great Grid Upgrade will play a big part in the UK government’s plan to boost homegrown power. It will help the UK switch to clean energy and make sure our electricity network is fit for the future; carrying more clean, secure energy from where it’s generated to where you need it.
 

Project Overview 

We need to build and operate three new substations – one near Brinsworth in RotherhamSouth Yorkshire; another near Chesterfield in Derbyshire and a third in High Marnham, near Normanton on Trent in Nottinghamshire. The new substations will allow us to safely carry more energy between the North of England and the Midlands and beyond.

The proposed substations would also enable us to upgrade the existing Brinsworth to Chesterfield and Chesterfield to High Marnham overhead electricity lines and connect future electricity transmission network projects as part of The Great Grid Upgrade. By getting greater capability out of the existing network, it will allow more electricity to pass through the transmission network and help accelerate the connection of clean energy projects.  

Find out more about our Brinsworth to High Marnham project here. 
 

View a route map
 

Public consultations

Our public consultations are designed to introduce our proposals to local communities and gain your feedback. Comments received at this point in the process will play an important part and help shape our plans ahead of the planning application, which we anticipate we’ll submit in early 2025. 

The High Marnham and Chesterfield consultation periods run from Monday 22 April until Monday 20 May 2024.

Please do share your views, as well as any suggestions regarding what you’d like us to consider, as we continue to develop the project, by 11.59pm on Monday 20 May 2024.

National Grid partners with Met Office to boost capacity on the electricity transmission network - electricity transmission pylon and overhead lines at dusk

Get in touch

Do you have questions about the project? Or would you like to register your interest for us to keep in touch? Contact our Community Relations Team:

Email:[email protected]

Freephone:0800 073 1047 Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm (An answering service is in place outside of these times)

Write to us: FREEPOST National Grid Projects (JBP) (no stamp or additional address information required)

You can also register your details to receive email updates on the project.

Register your email  

If you think our proposals could affect your land, please contact the Brinsworth to High Marnham Land Referencing Team at Ardent. You can call 0203 693 2500 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you can write to Ardent, 36-38 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DE.