Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)
NSIPs are large scale developments which are determined by Government under the Planning Act 2008. These fall under the categories of Transport, Energy, Water, Waste and Waste Water.
Norfolk County Council (NCC) is a statutory consultee as host authority in respect of a number of NSIPs and therefore has an important role to play in the various planning stages which such projects go through.
For further information about NSIPs, including the process and projects please visit the Planning Inspectorate website.
The following projects are currently in planning or have been consented to in Norfolk.
Offshore projects
Hornsea Three
Hornsea Three is an offshore wind farm being delivered by Orsted that could power over two million UK homes. Up to 231 offshore wind turbines will be located approximately 121km off the Norfolk coast, and will generate 2.4 GW of electricity. The power will make landfall at Weybourne and make grid connection at Norwich Main.
For more information about Hornsea Three, visit the Orsted website.
Norfolk Vanguard
The Norfolk Vanguard wind farm will be located approximately 47km from the Norfolk coast. It is expected to provide enough electricity to power 1.95 million UK homes per year. Carbon saving estimates are at 3 million tonnes saved. Landfall will be in Happisburgh, and will make the grid connection at Necton. The project was being delivered by Vattenfall but has now been sold to RWE, along with the Norfolk Boreas project.
For more information about Norfolk Vanguard, visit the RWE website.
Norfolk Boreas
A sister project to the Norfolk Vanguard, it will also be delivered by RWE, previously Vattenfall. It will provide enough electricity to power around 2 million UK homes. As with the Vanguard project, landfall will be in Happisburgh, and the national grid connection will be made at Necton. Vattenfall, who were delivering the project, had stopped the project but it is understood that RWE will re-instate the project.
For more information about Norfolk Boreas, visit the RWE website.
Extension to Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms
There will be a significant expansion of the existing Dudgeon and Sheringham wind farms. The project will result in an additional 719 MW total, without the need for a booster station. Landfall for both will take place either in Weybourne or Bacton, and both will connect to the Norwich Main substation. The Secretary of State granted development consent on 17 April 2024.
Onshore projects
A47 Blofield to North Burlingham dualling scheme
An upgrade to the A47 between Blofield and North Burlingham, a dual carriageway of 2.6km to ease congestion. The three A47 schemes have been subject to legal challenge. In May, the Supreme Court refused permission to appeal against the Secretary of State's decision to grant the Development Consent Order, which brings to an end any opportunity for legal challenge to the decision.
A47/A11 Thickthorn junction improvement
Improving the junction with the addition of two new link roads to help ease congestion. The three A47 schemes have been subject to legal challenge. In May, the Supreme Court refused permission to appeal against the Secretary of State's decision to grant the Development Consent Order, which brings to an end any opportunity for legal challenge to the decision.
For more information about the Thickthorn junction improvement, visit the National Highways website.
A47 North Tuddenham to Easton dualling scheme
Upgrading the A47 between North Tuddenham to Easton, completing the dual carriageway between Norwich and Dereham. The three A47 schemes have been subject to legal challenge. In May, the Supreme Court refused permission to appeal against the Secretary of State's decision to grant the Development Consent Order, which brings to an end any opportunity for legal challenge to the decision.
The Medworth project - Waste to energy
A new power plant to generate electricity and steam at Algores Way, Wisbech. The proposed waste to energy plant will divert over half a million tonnes of non-recyclable waste from landfill. It is expected to generate over 50 MW of energy, enough to power 74,000 homes. The grid connection will be established at the Walpole substation. The Secretary of State granted Development Consent on 20 February 2024.
For more information about the Medworth project, visit the Planning Inspectorate website.
Norwich to Tilbury (Formerly East Anglia Green)
National Grid are in the pre-application stage of the Norwich to Tilbury (N2T) Project, formerly known as East Anglia Green. The Project proposes to reinforce the high voltage (400 kv) electricity transmission network (that is a proposed new power line 400kv) from Norwich Main substation (Norfolk) to Bramford substation (Suffolk); onto Tilbury substation (Essex). It also involves a new connection substation in Essex relating to a new offshore wind project needing connection to the grid.
National Grid consulted on their Preliminary Environmental Information Report (Under Section 42 of the Planning Act) on this project. The statutory consultation went live on 10 April 2024 and closed on 26 July 2024. The County Council responded to the consultation with comments which were taken through the Planning and Highways Delegations Committee.
Grimsby to Walpole
This project is at an early stage in the planning process. Most of the proposed development pylon work (400 kV lines) will lie outside Norfolk, however, it is understood that there will be a need for a new Electricity Substation in the Walpole area. The project underwent its non-statutory consultation on 18 January for an 8-week period.
For more information about the Grimsby to Walpole project, visit the National Grid website.
Eastern Green Links 3&4
This project is at an early stage in the process. Similar to the Grimsby to Walpole project, most of the proposed development lies outside Norfolk, however it will require 2 new converter stations in the Walpole area. The non-statutory consultation went live on 23 April and closed on 15 July.
For more information about the Eastern Green Links 3 and 4, visit the National Grid website.
The Great Grid Upgrade
National Grid are looking to upgrade electricity grid to deliver 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 it is needed.
The Norwich to Tilbury, Grimsby to Walpole, and Eastern Green Links 3&4, all listed above, form part of the Great Grid Upgrade.
For more information about the Great Grid Upgrade, visit the National Grid website.
Fens Reservoir Project
The Project is at an early stage with the reservoir identified by Anglian Water to the North of Chatteris in Cambridgeshire. It is understood that there is likely to be supporting water transfer infrastructure needed in Norfolk. A second round non-statutory consultation on the project and its supporting infrastructure went live on 30 May and closed on 9 August.
For more information about the Fens Reservoir Project, visit the Anglian Water website.
Droves Solar Farm
The project is at an early stage in the process. The project developer, Island Green Power, is proposing a large-scale solar farm development, with associated infrastructure including a substation, converter station and a battery storage facility. The solar farm will be capable of supplying around 115,000 homes with electricity and will be situated on a single site north of Swaffham. The formal statutory consultation is expected in Spring 2025.
For more information about the Droves Solar Project, visit the Island Green Power website.
East Pye Solar Farm
The project is at an early stage in the process. The project developer, Island Green Power, is proposing a large-scale solar farm development, with associated infrastructure including up to 2 substations, a number of converter stations and a battery storage facility. The solar farm will be capable of supplying around 115,000 homes with electricity and will be situated on a number of sites around the Hempnall and Long Stratton area in South Norfolk.
The non-statutory consultation is currently live. Find details of the consultation and the project via the link below. Send comments direct to Island Green Power via info@eastpyesolar.co.uk.
For more information about the East Pye Solar Project, visit the Island Green Power website.
The formal statutory consultation is expected in Summer 2025.
High Grove Solar Farm
The project is at an early stage in the process. The project developer RWE is proposing a large-scale solar farm development, with associated infrastructure including a new 400kV substation, 3 new convertor stations and a battery storage facility. The solar farm will be capable of supplying around 360,000 homes with electricity and will be situated on a number of sites around Narborough, Swaffham, Dereham and Ashill. The formal statutory consultation on this project is expected in March 2025.
For more information about the High Grove Solar Project, visit the RWE website.
Share this page
