Major electricity project planned for Cumbria

A major electricity project for Cumbria is in the pipeline.

Part of the National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, the Cross Border Connection would help carry home-grown energy from more affordable sources between Scotland and the North of England.

If approved, the Cross Border Connection would carry up to 6.9GW of electricity – enough to power around six million homes.

National Grid said that by strengthening the network, the project would support the UK’s shift away from imported fossil fuels, improve energy security and help boost Cumbria’s economy by attracting clean industries and investment in skills and local jobs.

The project includes a new overhead electricity line and a new substation in the Carlisle area.

The proposed line would run from the England-Scotland border near Kershopefoot to the new substation, with two possible sites under consideration.

There are two routes under consideration:

• Option A would end at a new substation north of Carlisle, near the existing Harker substation. This route would involve around 28km of new overhead line.
• Option B would end at a new substation south of Carlisle, with a longer route of around 47km. This route would cross Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site just north of the River Eden, where the wall survives as underground remains.

A public consultation has been launched.

National Grid said the need for the Cross Border Connection was identified by the National Energy System Operator because more grid capacity was urgently needed between England and Scotland to transport cleaner electricity from sources like onshore and offshore wind.

Electricity demand is set to grow by 50% over the next decade.

National Grid said it was committed to minimising impact on heritage sites and would work closely with experts and local communities throughout the consultation.

The final route and substation location will be shaped by community feedback, environmental assessments and technical studies, National Grid said.

Following the consultation, National Grid will analyse the feedback and use it to refine project proposals.

There will be a further consultation, ahead of a planning application in 2028.

If approved, construction could begin in 2030, with the Cross Border Connection expected to be operational by 2033.

It added that the project was expected to deliver millions of pounds in community benefit funding for areas hosting new infrastructure, and it would work with wildlife experts to enhance nature along the route and with heritage organisations to respect important landscapes.

Angela Hosford, project director, said: “This is an important project for the region and for the country. Electricity demand is set to grow by around 50% over the next decade including here in Cumbria, and this project will help bring cleaner, secure, home-grown energy from more affordable sources onto the grid and deliver it to where it’s needed most.

“We’re at an early stage in the design process, and the feedback we receive during this consultation will play a crucial role in shaping how we move forward. We’re committed to listening and working with communities every step of the way.”

The consultation runs for eight weeks, until December 10, and will include:

• Six in-person community events
• Four live webinars
• More than 11,000 newsletters delivered to local homes and businesses

People are encouraged to take part online, attend an event, or contact the project team directly to ask questions and provide feedback.

Call 0800 358 1781 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with an answerphone taking messages outside these times)

Email: [email protected]

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Visit nationalgrid.com/cbc

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