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 is now being sold to RWE, along with the Norfolk Boreas project.
For more information about Norfolk Vanguard, visit the Vattenfall website
Norfolk Boreas
A sister project to the Norfolk Vanguard, it will also be delivered by Vattenfall. It will provide enough electricity to power around 2 million UK homes. As with the Vanguard, 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 Vattenfall 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 are subject to a further legal challenge and went to the Court of Appeal on 16 January. On the 22 February the judges dismissed the appeal. A request to hear the case at the Supreme Court has been lodged. We expect to hear whether this has been granted in the late spring.
A47/A11 Thickthorn junction improvement
Improving the junction with the addition of two new link roads to help ease congestion. The three A47 schemes are subject to a further legal challenge and went to the Court of Appeal on 16 January. On the 22 February the judges dismissed the appeal. A request to hear the case at the Supreme Court has been lodged. We expect to hear whether this has been granted in the late spring.
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 are subject to a further legal challenge and went to the Court of Appeal on 16 January. . On the 22 February the judges dismissed the appeal. A request to hear the case at the Supreme Court has been lodged. We expect to hear whether this has been granted in the late spring.
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 are currently consulting 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 closes on 18 June 2024. Any comments can be sent to National Grid on contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com. The County Council will be responding to this consultation in due course.
Norfolk County Council has responded to a previous consultation round from National Grid. The County Council responded to National Grid's second Non-Statutory Consultation (September 2023) 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 will close 17 June 2024. The County Council will be responding to this consultation in due course.
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 is expected in Spring/Summer 2024.
For more information about the Fens Reservoir Project, visit the Anglian Water Website