Norwich to Tilbury

A new 400kV electricity transmission line between Norwich and Tilbury, crossing Suffolk.

Norwich to Tilbury is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) proposal being developed by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), to build a new 400kV electricity transmission line between Norwich and Tilbury.

The entire scheme is 179 kilometres (111 miles) in length and crosses parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. The Suffolk section is 53 kilometres (33 miles in length) and crosses parts of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils. The scheme also crosses the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), locally known as the Dedham Vale National Landscape, on the border with Essex.

Suffolk County Council is a statutory consultee, and a decision would ultimately be taken by the relevant Secretary of State, if an application for development consent is submitted.

Planning Inspectorate (PINS): Norwich to Tilbury | National Infrastructure Planning

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET): Norwich to Tilbury | National Grid ET

Current Stage within the NSIP Process

The Planning Act 2008 sets out six stages for NSIPs. Norwich to Tilbury has progressed as seen below.

  1. 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.

Contact National Grid

Find out more about the proposals on National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury project website.