Currently Norwich to Tilbury in Pre-Application. National Grid will be required to produce a Screening, Scoping, Non-Statutory Consultation, Statement of Community Consultation, and Statutory Consultation.
Non-Statutory Consultations
The proposals were subject to a first non-statutory consultation held by National Grid between the 21 April and 16 June 2022, and a second non-statutory consultation held by National Grid between 27 June and 21 August 2023.
In June 2023, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk County Councils’ jointly commissioned an independent review of the strategic options appraisal for the Norwich to Tilbury pylon and onshore cable transmission line, previously prepared by National Grid.
The independent review of National Grid’s strategic optioneering appraisal process was undertaken by Andy Hiorns, of Hiorns Smart Energy Networks, at the request of Essex County Council on behalf of the joint councils. The commission was paid for by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) under the terms of a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA). The report helps the three county councils understand the strategic optioneering appraisal process. The report reviews the case for, and timeline of, electricity transmission capacity out of the East Anglia region, by 2030.
Statutory Consultation
National Grid held a Statutory Consultation between 10 April to 26 July 2024.
Suffolk County Council Cabinet discussed the Norwich to Tilbury Statutory Consultation Response on 21 May 2024. This can be found at 37:15 in this video.
As a product of this Cabinet Meeting, a request for a pause was made to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people of Suffolk, whilst at the same time enabling energy security, and decarbonisation of the electricity network, and enhancing public trust and confidence. As such, three letters were distributed to National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), Ofgem (the Energy Regulator), and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Targeted Consultation
National Grid held a Targeted Consultation between 27 January to 3 March 2025 for Norfolk and Suffolk.
This included six locations in Suffolk where modifications proposed had developed from those set out in the Statutory Consultation.