High-voltage substations in the United Kingdom
The high-voltage (400 kV and 275 kV) electricity substations in the United Kingdom are listed in the following tables. The substations provide entry points to, and exit points from, the National Grid (GB) or Northern Ireland Electricity Network . Entry points include power stations, major wind farms and inter-connectors from other countries and regions. Exit points are to lower voltage (275 kV, 132 kV, 66 kV and 33 kV) transmission and distribution substations which are also shown in the tables.
History
The first high-voltage substations in Britain were built as part of the National Grid in 1927–1933 by the Central Electricity Board under the provisions of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1926 . The substations and the grid operated at 132 kV and provided local and regional inter-connections.[ 1] Higher voltage substations were built as part of the super-grid designed for the bulk transfer of electricity which began to operate from 1953, firstly at 275 kV then from 1965 additionally at 400 kV.[ 2] The first 400 kV line was the 150 mile section between West Burton power station in Nottinghamshire and Sundon substation in Bedfordshire; the line had a capacity of 1,800 MVA per circuit.[ 3] The first 400 kV substations in Scotland were commissioned in 1972 associated with the line from Hunterston, Ayrshire to Neilston, Renfrewshire.[ 3]
From 1958 the super-grid and its substations were built by the Transmission Project Group within the Central Electricity Generating Board and included architects and landscape architects. The 400 kV super-grid reduced the number of lines and substations and therefore the number of amenity objections.[ 4] Some substations in urban areas were installed in enclosed structures but the majority were in the open.[ 2] The appearance of substations, and their visual impact, was improved using earth mounds and trees. Between 1968 and 1973, 725,000 tall trees, 915,400 smaller trees and 17,600 ground cover plants had been used to screen substations.[ 2] The substation at Sundon, Bedfordshire adjacent to the M1 motorway was screened with a beech hedge, and at Bishop’s Wood in Worcestershire the substation was built within an existing wood.[ 2] In 1972 a Mark II low profile 400 kV substation was commissioned, the first was at Wymondley, Hertfordshire. The substation used lighter support structures and the height was reduced from 72 ft to 53 ft (21.9 m to 16.1 m).[ 3]
The rapid development of the 400 kV system is demonstrated in the numbers of new substations that were being built: in 1971 ten 400 kV substations were commissioned by the CEGB, these were: Pheasant Farm, Abham, Didcot, Exeter, Hinkley Point, Indian Queens, Landulph, Melksham, Drax and Harker.[ 5] By 1973 there were sixty-one 400 kV substations.[ 2] In 1979 there were a total of 201 (275 kV and 400 kV) substations.[ 6] By the time of privatisation of the British electricity industry in 1990 there were 212 substations operating at 275 kV and 400 kV, and a total of 4,069 circuit km (2,528 miles) operating at 275 kV, and 9,822 circuit km (6,103 miles) circuit at 400 kV.[ 2] [ 7] In 2020 there were 179 400 kV substations and 137 275 kV substations.[ 8]
Centralised co-ordination of electricity supplies in Northern Ireland began with the establishment of the Electricity Board for Northern Ireland in 1931.[ 3] The Northern Ireland Electricity Service was established on 1 April 1973 by the Electricity Supply (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 .[ 3] The integrated electricity network was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[ 9] In 1979, the system comprised 323 route km (201 miles) of 275 kV lines, 836 route km (519 miles) of 110 kV line, and 38,875 route km (24,156 miles) of distribution mains.[ 6]
Owners and operators
The 275/400 kV grid and substations in England and Wales are owned and operated by National Grid Electricity Transmission. It also operates the grid and substations in Scotland although the systems are owned by ScottishPower and Scottish & Southern Energy . In Northern Ireland grid and substations are owned and operated by Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIE Networks).
England and Wales
400 kV substations
The 400 kV substations in England and Wales and their interconnections are given in the following table. The identification codes (e.g. 4YF) for the interconnecting lines and the lower voltage transmission, if any, from the substation are also given.[ 8] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
England and Wales 400 kV substations
Substation name
Location county/unitary authority
Connection to other 400 kV substations:
Remarks
Lower voltage transmission from substation
Abham
Devon
Exeter
Code 4YF
Landulph
Alverdiscott
Devon
Taunton
Indian Queens
Amersham Main
Buckinghamshire
Iver
132 kV
East Claydon
Aust
South Gloucestershire
Melksham
Cable sealing end compound for underground Severn-Wye cable tunnel
Newhouse
Axminster
Devon
Exeter
Code 4YA
Chickerell
Barking
Greater London
West Ham
275 kV, 132 kV, 33 kV
West Thurrock
Tilbury
Code YYJ
Beddington
Greater London
Rowdown
Beddington Cable Tunnel Code ZZT
275 kV, 132 kV
Kingsnorth
Former ±266 kV HVDC Kingsnorth circuit (operational 1974-86)
Willesden
Bicker Fen
Lincolnshire
On Walpole–West Burton circuits
132 kV
Blyth
Northumberland
Link to Stella West–Eccles circuits
North Sea Link HVDC convertor station
HVDC link to Norway
Bodelwyddan
Denbighshire
Feed from Burbo Bank wind farm
Link to Connahs Quay–Pentir circuits
Bolney
West Sussex
Ninfield
Code 4VM Also feed from Rampion wind farm
132 kV, 33 kV
Lovedean
Code 4VF
Botley Wood
Hampshire
Lovedean
Code 4YE
Chilling
Code 4YE
Bradford West
West Yorkshire
Eggborough
275 kV, 132 kV
Elland
Lower Shelf
Braintree
Essex
Rayleigh Main
132 kV, 33 kV
Twinstead Tee
Bramford
Suffolk
Stocking Pelham
132 kV
Norwich Main
Code 4YM
Sizewell
4 circuits
East Anglia ONE
220 kV feed from East Anglia ONE windfarm
Bramley
Hampshire
Fleet
132 kV
West Weybridge
Code ZH
Melksham
Code YYM
Didcot
Bredbury
Greater Manchester
Macclesfield
South Manchester
Bridgwater
Somerset
Under construction (2020)
Brinsworth
South Yorkshire
Thorpe Marsh
275 kV
Britned
Kent
Grain
Bull's Lodge
Essex
On Rayleigh Main–Braintree circuits
Burwell Main
Cambridgeshire
Pelham
132 kV
Walpole
Bustleholm
West Midlands
Substation
Link to Hams Hall–Draklow circuits
Canterbury North
Kent
Kemsley
Code ZV
Richborough
Sellindge
Code ZY
Capenhurst
Cheshire West and Chester
Connahs Quay
Carrington
Greater Manchester
Daines
South Manchester
Kearsley
Cellarhead
Staffordshire
Drakelow
Code ZE
Macclesfield
Chafford Hundred
Essex
Chickerell
Dorset
Mannington
Code 4VN
Axminster
Chilling
Hampshire
Botley Wood
Code 4YE
Fawley
Cilfynydd
Rhondda
Imperial Park
275 kV
Swansea North
Seabank
Rassau–Rhigos circuit
City Road
Greater London
St. John’s Wood
Underground along Regent’s Canal
132 kV, 33 kV
West Ham
Underground along Lea Navigation , Hertford Union and Regent’s Canals
Cleve Hill
Kent
On Kemsley–Canterbury North circuits
Feed from London Array
Connahs Quay
Flintshire (Sir y Fflint)
Capenhurst
Daines
Flintshire Bridge Convertor
Western HVDC Link
Treuddyn
Pentir
Coryton South
Essex
Spur on Tilbury–Rayleigh Main circuits
Cottam
Nottinghamshire
West Burton
400 kV link to Cottam Development Centre
Wymondley
High Marnham
Cowley
Oxfordshire
Didcot
132 kV, 33 kV
Seven Springs
Code 4TE
East Claydon
Crayford
Greater London
Hurst
Under construction
Creyke Beck
East Yorkshire
Thornton
Keadby
Culham JET
Oxfordshire
Spur on Didcot–Cowley circuits
Daines
Greater Manchester
Connahs Quay
Carrington
South Manchester
Macclesfield
Damhead Creek
Kent
Kingsnorth
Deeside power station
Cheshire West
Connahs Quay
Didcot
Oxfordshire
Bramley
Code 4YG
132 kV, 33 kV
Cowley
Dinorwig
Gwynedd
Pentir
Underground
Tee on Pentir-Trawsfynydd circuits
Underground
Drakelow
Derbyshire
Cellarhead
Code ZE
Penn
Code ZN
Hams Hall
Ratcliffe
Drax
North Yorkshire
Thornton
Code 4VC
Eggborough
Code 4VJ
Fenwick Tee
Code 4VH
Dungeness
Kent
Sellindge
Code 4VO
275 kV
Ninfield
Code 4ZJ
East Claydon
Buckinghamshire
Cowley
132 kV
Amersham
Sundon
Enderby
Eaton Socon
Cambridgeshire
On Wymondley–Cottam circuits
132 kV
Eccles (Scotland)
Borders
Stella West
Eccleshill
West Yorkshire
Padiham
Penwortham
Code ZO
Kearsley
Eggborough
North Yorkshire
Drax
Code 4VJ
To trans-Pennine (Woodhead) circuits
Monk Fryston
Elland
West Yorkshire
Bradford West
Link to Ferrybridge–Rochdale circuits
Elstree
Hertfordshire
St John’s Wood
Elstree to St. John’s Wood Deep Cable Tunnel
275 kV, 132 kV
Sundon
Enderby
Leicestershire
East Claydon
Ratcliffe
Exeter
Devon
Taunton
Code ZZ
Fawley
Hampshire
Nursling
Code 4YD
Mannington
Feckenham
Worcestershire
Seven Springs
132 kV
Hams Hall
Penn
Fenwick Tee
North Yorkshire
Connection to Drax on the Thorpe Marsh to Keadby circuit
Ferrybridge
North Yorkshire
Drax
Rochdale
Fleet
Hampshire
Lovedean
132 kV, 33 kV
Bramley
Flintshire Bridge Convertor
Flintshire
Connahs Quay
Frodsham
Halton
Rocksavage power station
Capenhurst
Grain
Kent
Kingsnorth
Code 4YN
Kemsley
Code 4TL, includes River Medway Cable Tunnel
Grain CHP
Medway power station
Grain Static Inverter Plant BritNed
450 kV DC
Grain CHP
Kent
Grain
Grain Static Inverter
Kent
Grain
Grendon
Northamptonshire
Sundon
132 kV
Staythorpe
Grimsby West
North East Lincolnshire
Keadby
Feed from South Humber Bank , Killingholme B and Immingham power stations to Keadby–Grimsby West circuits
Hackney
Greater London
Seven Sisters Road
London Power Tunnels
275 kV, 132 kV, 66 kV
West Ham
Lower Lea Valley Cable Tunnel
St. John’s Wood
London Power Tunnel, single circuit
Hambleton Tee
Lancashire
Heysham
Penwortham
Stanah
Hams Hall
Warwickshire
Feckenham
275 kV, 132 kV
Ratcliffe
Drakelow
Harker
Cumbria
Hutton
Gretna (Scotland)
Hawthorn Pit
Durham
Norton
Code 4TF
Heysham
Lancashire
Stanah (via Hambleton Tee)
Quernmore
Highbury
Greater London
Spur Seven Sisters Road–St. John’s Wood circuit
Underground line
11 kV
High Marnham
Nottinghamshire
Cottam
Staythorpe
Hinckley Point
Somerset
Melksham
Humber Refinery
North Lincolnshire
Immingham power station
Hurst
Greater London
New Cross
Under construction
275 kV, 132 kV
Crayford
Under construction
Hutton
Cumbria
Harker
Quernmore
Imperial Park
Newport
Melksham
Cilfynydd
Indian Queens
Cornwall
Landulph
Alverdiscott
Ironbridge
Telford and Wrekin
Penn
Drakelow–Penn circuits
Shrewsbury
Iver
Buckinghamshire
Amersham
275 kV, 132 kV
Keadby
North Lincolnshire
West Burton
132 kV
Grimsby West
Thorpe Marsh
Kearsley
Greater Manchester
Carrington
Penwortham
Kemsley
Kent
Grain
Code 4TL, includes River Medway Cable Tunnel
132 kV, 33 kV
Northfleet West
Code TP
Canterbury North
Code ZV
Kensal Green
Greater London
St. John’s Wood
Underground, along Regent’s Canal and Grand Union Canal
Willesden
Underground, along Grand Union Canal
Wimbledon
London Power Tunnels, single circuit
Killingholme
North Lincolnshire
On Keadby–Grimsby circuits
Kingsnorth
Kent
Northfleet East
Code 4YN
Tilbury
Code 4VG
Grain
Code 4TK
Feed from Damhead Creek
Beddington
Former ±266 kV HVDC Kingsnorth circuit (operational 1974-86)
Lackenby
Redcar and Cleveland
Thornton
275 kV, 66 kV
Landulph
Cornwall
Indian Queens
Abham
Langage power station
Devon
Abham–Landulph circuit
Legacy
Wrexham
Shrewsbury
132 kV, 33 kV
Treuddyn
Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire
On East Claydon–Sundon circuits
Little Barford
Bedfordshire
On Wymondley–Cottam circuits
Littlebrook
Kent
Northfleet West
275 kV, 132 kV
West Thurrock
Dartford Cable Tunnel
Longfield
Kent
?
Lovedean
Hampshire
Bolney
Code 4VF
132 kV
Fleet
Code VB
Nursling
Code 4YC
Botley Wood
Code 4YE
Lower Shelf
Blackburn with Darwen
Padiham
Bradford West
Monk Fryston
Macclesfield
Cheshire
Cellarhead
Code YV?
Daines
Stalybridge
Mannington
Dorset
Chickerell
Code 4VN
Nursling
Marchwood
Hampshire
On Fawley–Nursling circuits
Medway power station
Kent
Grain
Melksham
Wiltshire
Hinkley Point
Code ZG
Bramley
Code YYM
Minety
Imperial Park
Seabank
400 kV feed to Whitson
Middleton
Lancashire
Heysham
Link on Penwortham–Hutton circuit
Minety
Wiltshire
Seven Springs
132 kV
Melksham
Monk Fryston
North Yorkshire
Eggborough
275 kV
Lower Shelf
Necton
Norfolk
On Norwich Main–Walpole circuits
132 kV
Neepsend
Sheffield
Hunshelf
New Cross
Greater London
Wimbledon
Under construction
275 kV, 132 kV, 66 kV
Hurst
Under construction
Newhouse
Monmouthshire
Aust/Whitson
Cable sealing end compound for underground Severn crossing
Ninfield
East Sussex
Dungeness
Code 4ZJ
132 kV, 33 kV
Bolney
Code 4VM
Northfleet East
Kent
Northfleet West
132 kV
West Thurrock
Includes overhead [[400 kV Thames Crossing|Thames Crossing]]
Singlewell
Code 4YN
Northfleet West
Kent
Rowdown
132 kV, 33 kV
Northfleet East
Littlebrook
Kemsley
Code TP
North Sea Link HVDC convertor station
Northumberland
Blyth
HVDC link to Norway
Norton
Stockton on Tees
Hawthorn Pit
Code 4TF
Spennymoor
Teesside high voltage users
Osbaldwick
Norwich Main
Norfolk
Bramford
Code 4YM
132 kV
Walpole
Code 4VV
Nursling
Hampshire
Fawley
Lovedean
Code 4YC
Mannington
Oldbury
West Midlands
Drakelow
275 kV substation
Osbaldwick
York
Norton
132 kV
Thornton
Padiham
Lancashire
Lower Shelf
132 kV
Eccleshill
Patford Bridge
Northamptonshire
On East Claydon–Enderby circuit
Pembroke
Pembrokeshire
Swansea North
132 kV
Penn
West Midlands
Feckenham
132 kV
Ironbridge
Drakelow
Code ZN
Pentir
Gwynedd
Trawsfynydd
Code 4ZC
Dinorwig
Connahs Quay
Wylfa
Penwortham
Lancashire
Kearsley
Stanah (via Hambleton Tee)
Quernmore
Eccleshill
Code ZO
Pudding Mill Lane
Greater London
Spur from West Ham–City Road line
Underground cable, main traction current supply to Elizabeth line , back up supply at Kensal Green/Westbourne Park[ 14]
25 kV
Quernmore
Lancashire
Hutton
Code ZX
Heysham
Penwortham
Rassau
Blaenau Gwent
Rhigos
132 kV
Walham
Ratcliffe
Leicestershire
Staythorpe
132 kV
Enderby
Coventry
Drakelow
Willington
Rayleigh Main
Essex
Tilbury
132 kV
Braintree
Code 4VB
Rhigos
Rhondda
Swansea North
Rassau
Richborough
Kent
Canterbury North
Code ZID, feed to/from NEMO
132 kV, 33 kV
Rochdale
Lancashire
Ferrybridge
132 kV
Whitegate
Rocksavage
Halton
Frodsham
Rowdown
Greater London
Beddington
Beddington Cable Tunnel Code ZZT
Northfleet West
Rugeley
Staffordshire
On Penn–Drakelow circuits
Rye House
Hertfordshire
Stocking Pelham
132 kV
Waltham Cross
St. John’s Wood
Greater London
Kensal Green
Underground, along Regent’s Canal and Grand Union Canal
275 kV, 132 kV, 66 kV, 22 kV
City Road
Underground along Regent’s Canal
Hackney
London Power Tunnel, single circuit
Elstree
Elstree to St. John’s Wood Deep Cable Tunnel
Sandford
North Somerset
Under construction (2020)
Seabank
Bristol
Cilfynydd
Melksham
Sellindge
Kent
Canterbury North
132 kV
Dungeness
Code 4VO
Feed to/from France
270 kV DC
Seven Sisters Road
Greater London
On Hackney–St John’s Wood circuits
Seven Springs
Gloucestershire
Cowley
Minety
Walham
Feckenham
Code ZF
Shotton Converter Station
Flintshire
Deeside power station
Woodland Conversion Station (Ireland)
400 kV DC East–West Interconnecter to Republic of Ireland, operated by EirGrid
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
Ironbridge
132 kV, 33 kV
Legacy
Singlewell feeder
Kent
Spur on Northfleet East–Kingsnorth circuits (Code 4YN)
Traction current supply to High Speed 1
25 kV
Sizewell
Suffolk
Bramford
4 circuits
South Humber Bank power station
North Lincolnshire
On Keadby–Grimsby West circuits
South Manchester
Greater Manchester
Daines
Carrington
Bredbury
Spalding
Lincolnshire
On Walpole–West Burton circuits
Spennymoor
Durham
Stella West
To Norton–Hawthorn Pit circuits
Stanah
Lancashire
Penwortham (via Hambleton Tee)
Heysham
Stalybridge
Greater Manchester
Thorpe Marsh
Code 4ZO Trans-Pennine via Woodhead tunnel
275 kV
Stocksbridge
Macclesfield
Staythorpe
Nottinghamshire
Grendon
132 kV
Ratcliffe
High Marnham
4 circuits
Stella West
Tyne and Wear
Eccles
Spennymoor
Code 4TQ
Stocksbridge
South Yorkshire
Eggborough
Stalybridge
Code 4ZO Trans-Pennine via Woodhead tunnel
Stoke Bardolph
Nottinghamshire
Ratcliffe
High Marnham
Stocking Pelham
Essex
Wymondley
132 kV
Rye House
Burwell Main
Bramford
Sundon
Central Bedfordshire
Elstree
132 kV
East Claydon
Grendon
Wymondley
Sutton Bridge power station
Lincolnshire
Walpole
Swansea North
Swansea
Cilfynydd
Rhigos
Pembroke
Taunton
Somerset
Alverdiscott
Code 4VW
Exeter
Hinkley Point
Thornton
City of York
Drax
Code 4VC
Lackenby
Osbaldwick
Creyke Beck
Thorpe Marsh
South Yorkshire
Keadby
Brinsworth
Stalybridge
Code 4ZO Trans–Pennine via Woodhead tunnel
Tilbury
Essex
Kingsnorth
Includes Thames Cable Tunnel
275 kV, 132 kV
Barking
Rayleigh Main
Tod Point
Redcar and Cleveland
Lackenby
Trawsfynydd
Gwynedd
Treuddyn
Pentir
Code 4ZC
Treuddyn
Flintshire
Connahs Quay
Trawsfynydd
Legacy
Twinstead Tee
Essex
On Bramford–Stocking Pelham circuits
Walham
Gloucestershire
Rassau
132 kV
Seven Springs
Walpole
Norfolk
Burwell Main
220 kV, 132 kV
Norwich Main
Code 4VV
West Burton
Feed from Sutton Bridge Power Station
Waltham Cross
Hertfordshire
Rye House
275 kV
West Burton
Nottinghamshire
Walpole
132 kV
Keadby
Cottam
West Ham
Greater London
Barking
132 kV, 66 kV
City Road
Underground, along Lea Navigation, Hertford Union Canal and Regent’s Canal
Hackney
Lower Lea Valley Cable Tunnel
West Thurrock
Essex
Barking
275 kV
Northfleet East
Overhead Thames Crossing
Littlebrook
Includes Dartford Cable Tunnel
West Weybridge
Surrey
Bramley
Code ZH
275 kV, 132 kV
Whitegate
Greater Manchester
Rochdale
275 kV, 132 kV
Whitson
Newport
Melksham
275 kV, 132 kV
Imperial Park
Willesden
Greater London
Kensal Green
Underground, along Grand Union Canal
275 kV, 132 kV, 66 kV, 22 kV
Beddington
Former ±266 kV HVDC Kingsnorth circuit (operational 1974-86)
Willington
Derbyshire
Ratcliffe
Wimbledon
Greater London
Kensal Green
London Power Tunnels, single circuit
275 kV, 132 kV
New Cross
Under construction
Wylfa
Anglesey (Sir Ynys Mon)
Pentir
132 kV
Wymondley
Hertfordshire
Sundon
132 kV
Cottam Power Station
Stocking Pelham
Code 4TB
275 kV substations
The 275 kV substations in England and Wales and their interconnections are given in the following table. The lower voltage transmission, if any, from the substation is also given.[ 8] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
England and Wales 275 kV substations
Substation name
Location county/unitary authority
Connection to other substation(s)
Remarks
Lower voltage transmission from substation
Aberthaw
Cardiff
Pyle
Upper Boat
Tremorfa
Aldwarke
South Yorkshire
West Melton
Brinsworth
Alpha Steel
Newport
Uskmouth
Baglan Bay
Neath
Margam
Swansea North
Barking
Greater London
Redbridge
132 kV, 33 kV
Beddington
Greater London
Chessington
Code ZZU
132 kV
Wimbledon
Berkswell
West Midlands
Coventry
Feckenham
Ocker Hill
Birkenhead
Merseyside
Capenhurst
Lister Drive
Bishops Wood
Staffordshire
2 links to Penn–Feckenham circuit
132 kV, 66 kV
Blyth
Northumberland
Stella West
Code XF
132 kV, 66 kV
Bradford West
West Yorkshire
Padiham
Elland
Kirkstall
Monk Fryston
Bredbury
Greater Manchester
Staylybridge
Macclesfield
South Manchester
Brimsdown
Greater London
Waltham Cross
132 kV
Tottenham
Brinsworth
South Yorkshire
Thurcroft
Templeborough
BOC operations centre Brinsworth
Chesterfield
Tinsley Park
Neeps End
Bridgwater
Somerset
Hinkley Point
132 kV, 33 kV
Bushbury
West Midlands
link to Drakelow–Penn circuit
132 kV
Bustleholme
West Midlands
Nechells
132 kV
Drakelow
Capenhurst
Cheshire West and Chester
Frodsham
132 kV
Birkenhead
Cardiff East
Cardiff
Pyle-Aberthaw circuit
Whitson
Chessington
Surrey
West Weybridge
Code ZM
132 kV
Beddington
Code ZZU
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
High Marnham
132 kV
Brinsworth
Cilfynnyd
Rhondda
Upper Boat
132 kV
Coventry
West Midlands
Ratcliffe
132 kV, 33 kV
Nechells
Berkswell
Cowbridge Tee
Cardiff
On Aberthaw, Cardiff East, Pyle circuits
Creyke Beck
East Yorkshire
Saltend North
Daines
Greater Manchester
South Manchester
400 kV substation
Drakelow
Worcestershire
Bustleholm
132 kV
Penn
Dungeness
Kent
Power station 275 kV to 400 kV step-up transformer
Ealing
Greater London
Laleham
Willesden
Elland
West Yorkshire
Ferrybridge
Stalybridge
Bradford West
Kirkstall
Elstree
Hertfordshire
Waltham Cross
132 kV
Watford
Mill Hill
Feckenham
Worcestershire
Bishops Wood
Berkswell
Ferrybridge
North Yorkshire
Monk Fryston
Skelton Grange
Elland
Ffestiniog
Gwynedd
Trawsfynydd
Fiddlers Ferry
Warrington
Rainhill
132 kV
Frodsham
Fourstones
Northumberland
Stella West
Harker
Code XB
Frodsham
Halton
Fiddlers Ferry
132 kV
Capenhurst
Grangetown
Redcar and Cleveland
Feed from Lackenby
Underground cable
Greystones
Redcar and Cleveland
Lackenby (400 kV)
Tod Point
Hackney
Greater London
Tottenham
132 kV, 66 kV
Hams Hall
Warwickshire
Coventry
132 kV
Bustleholm
Nechells
Harker
Cumbria
Fourstones
Code XB
132 kV
Hartmoor
Durham
Hartlepool power station
Code 4TH
Hawthorn Pit
Hartlepool power station
Hartlepool
Saltholme
Code 4TG
Hartmoor
Code 4TH
Hawthorne Pit
Durham
Hartmoor
66 kV
Norton
Code 4TF
Offerton
Hedon
East Yorkshire
Creyke Beck
Saltend
High Marnham
Nottinghamshire
Chesterfield
Thurcroft-West Melton circuit
Hinkley Point
Somerset
Bridgwater
Hurst
Greater London
New Cross
132 kV
Littlebrook
Iron Acton
South Gloucestershire
Melksham
132 kV, 33 kV
Whitson
Iver
Buckinghamshire
Watford
132 kV
Laleham
Code VW
North Hyde
Jordanthorpe
South Yorkshire
Brinsworth
Pitsmoor
Kearsley
Greater Manchester
Whitegate
132 kV
Kirkby
Merseyside
Washway Farm
132 kV
Rainhill
Kirkstall
West Yorkshire
Elland
Bradford West
Skelton Grange
Kitwell
West Midlands
Bishops Wood
Ocker Hill
Oldbury
Knaresborough
North Yorkshire
Monk Fryston
Poppleton
Lackenby
Redcar and Cleveland
Tod Point
66 kV
Laleham
Surrey
Iver
Code VW
132 kV
Ealing
West Weybridge
Lister Drive
Merseyside
Kirkby
Birkenhead
Littlebrook
Kent
Hurst
Code VN
Macclesfield
Cheshire
Bredbury
Margam
Neath
Pyle
Baglan Bay
Melksham
Wiltshire
Iron Acton
132 kV
Mill Hill
Greater London
Elstree
132 kV
Monk Fryston
North Yorkshire
Ferrybridge
Poppleton
Knaresborough
Bradford West
Nechells
West Midlands
Hams Hall
Bustleholm
Neepsend
South Yorkshire
Brinsworth
New Cross
Greater London
Wimbledon
132 kV, 66 kV
Hurst
North Hyde
Greater London
Iver
66 kV, 11 kV
Norton Lees
South Yorkshire
Pitsmoor
Sheffield City
Jordanthorpe
Brinsworth
Norton
Stockton
Hawthorn Pit
Saltholme
Ocker Hill
West Midlands
Willenhall
Berkswell
Kitwell
Offerton
Tyne and Wear
Hawthorn Pit
West Boldon
Oldbury
West Midlands
Kitwell
400 kV from Drakelow
Penn
West Midlands
Bustleholm
132 kV
Feckenham
Penwortham
Lancashire
Washway Farm
132 kV
Pitsmoor
South Yorkshire
Sheffield City
Wincobank
Neepsend
Jordanthorpe
Templeborough
Poppleton
North Yorkshire
Knaresborough
Monk Fryston
Pyle
Swansea
Aberthaw
Margam
Rainhill
Merseyside
Kirkby
132 kV
Fiddlers Ferry
Ratcliffe
Leicestershire
Coventry
132 kV
Redbridge
Greater London
Tottenham
Barking
Rochdale
Lancashire
400 kV from Eggborough
Stalybridge
Whitegate
Saltend North
East Yorkshire
Saltend South
132 kV, 33 kV
Creyke Beck
Saltend South
East Yorkshire
Saltend North
Saltholme
Redcar and Cleveland
Sabic Chemicals
Hartlepool power station
Code ZZA
Sellinge
Kent
Sellinge Converter
270 kV DC to/from France
Sheffield City
Sheffield
Brinsworth
Neepsend
St. John’s Wood
Greater London
Tottenham
Skelton Grange
Leeds
Ferrybridge
Kirkstall
South Manchester
Greater Manchester
Bredbury
Daines
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
Tynemouth
West Boldon
Spennymoor
Durham
400 kV?
Stalybridge
Greater Manchester
400 kV feed
Bredbury
Rochdale
Elland
Stella West
Tyne and Wear
Blyth
Code XF
Fourstones
Swansea North
Swansea
400 kV feed
Baglan Bay
Templeborough
South Yorkshire
Brinsworth
Pitsmoor
Thorpe Marsh
South Yorkshire
West Melton
66 kV
Thurcroft
South Yorkshire
Link from High Marnham–? circuit
66 kV, 11 kV
Brinsworth
Tilbury
Essex
Warley
Code Z3B
Tinsley Park
South Yorkshire
Brinsworth
Tod Point
Redcar and Cleveland
Greystones
Hartlepool
Tottenham
Greater London
Brimsdown
St. John's Wood
Redbridge
Hackney
Trawsfynydd
Gwynedd
Ffestiniog
Tremorfa
Cardiff
Aberthaw
Whitson
Tynemouth
Tyne and Wear
West Boldon
Blyth
Upper Boat
Rhondda
Cilfynnyd
132 kV
Aberthaw
Uskmouth
Newport
Whitson
Alpha Steel
Waltham Cross
Hertfordshire
Warley
Brimsdown
Elstree
Warley
Essex
Tilbury
Code Z3B
132 kV
Waltham Cross
Washway Farm
Lancashire
Penwortham
132 kV
Kirkby
Watford
Hertfordshire
Elstree
132 kV
Iver
West Boldon
Tyne and Wear
Offerton
66 kV
Tynemouth
West Melton
South Yorkshire
Thorpe Marsh
Thurcroft
West Weybridge
Surrey
Laleham
132 kV
Chessington
Code ZM
Whitegate
Greater Manchester
Kearsley
132 kV
Rochdale
Whitson
Newport
Iron Acton
Uskmouth
Cardiff East
Tremorfa
Wincobank
South Yorkshire
Pitsmoor
Templeborough
Willenhall
West Midlands
Bushbury
Ocker Hill
Willesden
Greater London
Ealing
132 kV, 66 kV
Willington
Derbyshire
400 kV feed
Wilton
Redcar and Cleveland
Feed from Wilton power stations
Wimbledon
Greater London
Beddington
132 kV
New Cross
Scotland
400 kV substations
The 400 kV substations in Scotland and their interconnections are given in the following table. The identification codes for the interconnecting lines and the lower voltage transmission, if any, from the substation are also given.[ 8] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
There are two interconnections between England and Scotland. On the west coast the 400 kV overland line between Harker substation in Cumbria and Gretna substation, Dumfries and Galloway. On the east coast the 400 kV line between Stella West substation, Tyne and Wear and Eccles substation, Borders.
In addition the 600 kV DC Western HVDC underground and sub-marine link connects Flintshire Bridge Converter station, in Flintshire Wales, to the Western HVDC Converter station near Hunterston.[ 11]
Scotland 400 kV substations
Substation name
Location Council/Unitary Authority
Connection to other 400 kV substation(s):
Remarks
Lower voltage transmission from substation
Beauly
Highland
Fort Augustus
275 kV, 132 kV
Branxton
East Lothian
Torness
Coalburn
South Lanarkshire
Strathaven
Elvanfoot
Cockenzie
East Lothian
Eccles
275 kV
Crystal Rig wind farm
East Lothian
On Torness–Smeaton circuits
Denny North
Falkirk
Fort Augustus
275 kV, 132 kV
Devol Moor
Inverclyde
Inverkip
132 kV, 33 kV
Eccles
Borders
Stella West (England)
132 kV, 33 kV
Torness
Cockenzie
Elvanfoot
South Lanarkshire
Moffat
275 kV
Coalburn
Elvanfoot North
South Lanarkshire
Fallago Rig wind farm
East Lothian
On Torness–Smeaton circuits
Fort Augustus
Highland
Beauly
275 kV, 132 kV
Denny
Gretna
Dumfries and Galloway
Harker (England)
132 kV
Moffat
Hunterston Power station
North Ayrshire
Hunterston North & East
400 kV
Hunterston Western HVDC Converter (600 kV DC)
Flintshire Bridge Converter (Wales)
Hunterston North
Neilston/Windyhill
Hunterston East
Neilston
Inverkip
Inverclyde
Devol Moor
Link on Neilston–Windy Hill circuit
Neilston
Kilmarnock South
East Ayrshire
Neilston
275 kV
Strathven
Melgarve
Highland
Link on Fort Augustus–Denny circuit
275 kV
Moffat
Dumfries
Gretna
Elvanfoot
Neilston
Renfrewshire
Kilmarnock South
275 kV,132 kV
Hunterston
Inverkip
Windyhill
Smeaton
East Lothian
Torness
275 kV
Wishaw
Strathaven
South Lanarkshire
Kilmarnock South
275 kV
Wishaw
Coalburn
Torness
East Lothian
Smeaton
Eccles
Windyhill
West Dunbarton
Neilston
275 kV,132 kV
Wishaw
North Lanarkshire
Strathaven
275 kV
Smeaton
275 kV substations
The 275 kV substations in Scotland and their interconnections are given in the following table. The identification codes for the interconnecting lines and the lower voltage transmission, if any, from the substation are also given.[ 8] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
The Moyle Interconnector provides a high-voltage link between the Scotland and Northern Ireland 275 kV systems.
Scotland 275 kV substations
Substation name
Location council/unitary authority
Connection to other 275 kV substation(s):
Remarks
Lower voltage transmission from substation
Auchencrosh Static Inverter Plant
South Ayrshire
Mark Hill
Moyle Interconnector North and South
250 kV DC to Northern Ireland
Ayr
South Ayrshiire
Link from Coylton-Kilmarnock Town circuits
Beauly
Highland
Feed from 400 kV
132 kV
Fasnakyle
Fyrish
Knocknagael
Blackhillock
Moray
Knocknagael
Keith
Kintore
400 kV feed from Spittal
Busby
East Renfewshire
Neilston
Giffnock
Strathaven
Clyde North
South Lanarkshire
Elvanfoot 400 kV
Clyde South
South Lanarkshire
Elvanfoot 400 kV
Clyde's Mill
Glasgow
400 kV feed from Strathaven
Easterhouse
Longannet
Dalmaarnock/Charlotte Street
East Kilbride
Coatbridge
North Lanarkshire
Newarthill
Cockenzie
East Lothian
400 kV feed from Eccles
Smeaton
Kaimes
Coylton
South Ayrshire
Kilmarnock Town
132 kV
New Cumnock
Cruachan
Argyll and Bute
Dalmally
Currie
Edinburgh
Grangemouth
132 kV (Sighthill)
Kincardine
Kaimes
Sighthill
Dalmally
Argyll and Bute
Windyhill
Inverarnan
Cruachan
Denny
Falkirk
400 kV feed from Melgrave
132 kV
Longannet
Bonnybridge
Lambhill
Tummel
Dounreay
Highland
Thurso South
132 kV
Loch Buidhe
Easterhouse
Glasgow
Longannet
Clyde's Mill
Newarthill
East Kilbride South
South Lanarkshire
Strathaven
Neilston
Whitelee
Whitelee Extension
Fasnakyle
Highland
Beauly
Fork Augustus
Fetteresso
Aberdeenshire
Kintore
132 kV
Tealing
Kincardine
Fort Augustus
Highland
Fasnakyle
132 kV
Tummel
Foyers
Highland
Knocknagael
Fyrish
Highland
Loch Buidhe
132 kV
Beauly
Glenrothes
Fife
Tealing
Westfield
Grangemouth
Falkirk
Kincardine
132 kV
Currie
Inverarnan
Stirling
Windyhill
132 kV
Dalmally
Kaimes
Edinburgh
Currie
Dewar
Cockenzie
Smeaton
Kilmarnock Town
East Ayrshire
Colyton
132 kV
Feed from 400 kV Kilmarnock South
Kincardine
Fife
Fetteresso
Tealing
Grangemouth
Currie
Longannet
Kintore
Aberdeenshire
400 kV feed from Blackhillock
132 kV
Blackhillock
Fetteresso
Tealing
Peterhead
Persley
Knocknagael
Highland
Beauly
132 kV
Foyers
Tomatin
Blackhillock
Lambhill
Glasgow
Denny
Windyhill
Port Dundas
132kV
West George Street
Loch Buidhe
Highland
Dounreay
132 kV
Fyrish
Longannet
Fife
Westfield
Mossmorran
Easterhouse
Kincardine
Bonnybridge
Denny
Clyde's Mill
Mark Hill
South Ayrshire
Auchencrosh
132 kV
Kilgallioch
Coylton
Neilston
East Renfewshire
400 kV feed from Hunterston East
132 kV
East Kilbride South
Busby
Windyhill
Newarthill
North Lanarkshire
400 kV feed from Wishaw
Easterhouse
Coatbridge
New Cumnock
East Ayrshire
Coylton
132 kV
Persley
Aberdeen
Peterhead
132 kV
Kintore
Peterhead
Aberdeenshire
Blackhillock
132 kV
Persley
Kintore
Smeaton
Fife
400 kV feed from Fallago
Cockenzie
Kaimes
Portobello
132 kV
Shrubhill
132 kV
Spittal
Highland
Thurso South
132 kV
Tealing
Angus
Kintore
132 kV
Kincardine
Fetteresso
Glenrothes
Westfield
Thurso South
Highland
Dounreay
132 kV
Spittal
Tomatin
Highland
Knocknagael
132 kV
Tummel
Perthshire
Fort Augustus
132 kV
Denny
Westfield
Fife
Glenrothes
132 kV
Mossmorran
Tealing
Longannet
Whitelee
Borders
East Kilbride South
Whitelee Extension
Borders
East Kilbride South
Windyhill
West Dunbartonshire
Neilston
132 kV
Lambhill
Dalmally
Inverarnan
Drumchapel
132 kV
Northern Ireland
275 kV substations
There are no 400 kV systems in Northern Ireland; the highest transmission voltage is 275 kV. The substations and their interconnections are given in the table. The lower voltage (generally 110 kV) transmission from the substation is also given.[ 11] [ 15]
Northern Ireland 275 kV substations
Substation name
Location County/Borough
Connection to other 275 kV substation(s):
Remarks
Lower voltage transmission from substation
Ballycronan More HVDC Inverter
Antrim
Moyle Interconnector North and South
250 kV DC from Scotland
Ballylumford
Hannahstown
Ballylumford power station
Antrim
Kells
110 kV
Ballycronan More
Castlereagh
Lisburn and Castlereagh City
Tandragee
110 kV
Ballycronan More
Hannahstown
Antrim
Castlereagh
Magherafelt
Kells
Antrim
Ballylumford
110 kV
Kilroot
Kells
Kilroot power station
Antrim
Tandragee–Castlereagh circuits
110 kV, 33 kV
Magherafelt
Lisahally power station
Derry
Tamnamore
110 kV
Magherafelt
Londonderry
Kells
Lisahally power station
Tandragee
Tamnamore
Tyrone
Magherafelt
110 kV
Castlereagh
Tandragee
Armagh
Louth (Republic of Ireland)
Interconnector
110 kV
Tamnamore
Castlereagh
See also
References
^ Hannah, Leslie (1979). Electricity before Nationalisation . London: Macmillan. pp. 106–130. ISBN 0333220862 .
^ a b c d e f Sheail, John (1991). Power in Trust: The Environmental History of the Central Electricity Generating Board . Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 104, 129–30. ISBN 0198546734 .
^ a b c d e Electricity Supply in the United Kingdom: a Chronology . London: Electricity Council. 1987. pp. 49, 89–90, 107, 108. ISBN 085188105X .
^ Hannah, Leslie (1982). Engineers, Managers and Politicians . London: Macmillan. p. 253. ISBN 0333220870 .
^ CEGB Statistical Yearbook 1972 . London: Central Electricity Generating Board. 1972. pp. 25–27.
^ a b Handbook of Electricity Supply Statistics 1979 . London: Electricity Council. 1980. pp. 14, 95. ISBN 0851880762 .
^ Handbook of Electricity Supply Statistics . London: Electricity Council. 1990. p. 11. ISBN 085188122X .
^ a b c d e "National Grid capacity map" . National Grid . Retrieved 17 March 2020 .
^ "Northern Ireland Electricity Networks" . Northern Ireland Electricity Networks . 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020 .
^ a b c d "National Grid - Route Maps" . National Grid . Retrieved 17 March 2020 .
^ a b c d e f "Open Infrastructure Map" . Open Infrastructure Map . Retrieved 17 March 2020 .
^ a b c d "Electricity Ten Year Statement Appendix A System Schematic" . National Grid . 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2020 .
^ a b c d National Grid (2014). "GB Power Flow Diagram" . National Grid . Retrieved 29 March 2020 .
^ Harvey, Dan (April 2020). "Class 345s to Heathrow". Modern Railways . 77 (859): 92.
^ "Northern Ireland capacity map" . Northern Ireland Electricity . Retrieved 17 March 2020 .