en.Wedoany.com Reported - National Grid has energized 44 kilometers of newly constructed overhead transmission lines from Sandford to Seabank, marking a key milestone in the northern section of the Hinkley Connection Project.
Once fully operational, the project will deliver low-carbon, locally generated electricity to approximately six million homes and businesses across the UK, including output from the new Hinkley Point C power station. The northern section, spanning between Melksham, Sandford Substation, and Seabank, has been completed after months of planned construction.
The project comprises 146 towers in total, with 95 in the northern section, including 68 new T-pylons installed between Towerhead and Crooks Marsh. The southern section was energized ahead of schedule in 2023, and the project team's next phase will focus on restoring land along the northern corridor to its pre-construction state. Currently, 13 T-pylons remain unenergized, with plans to connect and commission additional sections during the Huntspill outage window.
The Hinkley Connection spans 57 kilometers, connecting National Grid's new Shurton substation within the Hinkley Point C site to the existing Seabank substation in Avonmouth. Of this, 48.5 kilometers are overhead lines (primarily using T-pylons), while the remaining 8.5 kilometers are underground sections passing through the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Since construction began, National Grid's Community Grant Programme has awarded over £1.4 million to local organizations. Additionally, 1,951 grants totaling £1,311,500 have been distributed to schools, benefiting over 500,000 young people, with funding including workshops to inspire the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent.
Mark Lissimore, National Grid's Infrastructure Delivery Director, stated that this milestone is the result of years of meticulous planning, construction, and collaboration with the community. Energizing the northern section is a critical step toward completing the project and delivering low-carbon, locally sourced electricity to approximately six million homes and businesses. He expressed pride in the work accomplished and thanked the local community for their patience and cooperation during the grid upgrade.
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