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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 decision from the Secretary of State on the Development Consent Order (DCO) was expected in January but has been delayed until 17 April.

For more information about the extension of the Sheringham and Dudgeon wind farms, visit the Planning Inspectorate website

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. A decision is expected 6 weeks after the hearing.

For more information about the Blofield to North Burlingham dualling, visit the Highways England website

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. A decision is expected 6 weeks after the hearing.

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. A decision is expected 6 weeks after the hearing.

For more information about the North Tuddenham to Easton dualling, visit the National Highways website

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 decision from the Secretary of State on the Development Consent Order (DCO) is expected by 21 February.

For more information about the Medworth project, visit the Medworth 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.

For more information about the Norwich to Tilbury project, visit the National Grid website

Norfolk County Council has responded to National Grid's second Non-Statutory Consultation (September 2023) with the following 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 launched its non-statutory consultation on 18 January for an 8 week period. Any comments can be made through the website below, or by emailing contact@g-w.nationalgrid.com.

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. It is understood that the non-statutory consultation is expected in April 2024.

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.

For more information about the Fens Reservoir Project, visit the Anglian Water Website