National Grid Exhibitions
Added on 07 November 2009
National Grid seeks your views on options for a new overhead line
National Grid is holding public exhibitions in the area regarding their proposals to connect EDF Energy’s proposed nuclear power station at Hinkley Point to the national electricity transmission network.
The exhibitions will be at Best Western Webbington Hotel and Spa, Loxton, Somerset, BS26 2HU on November 10, 2-4pm and 6-8pm and Sandford Village Hall, Greenhill Road, Sandford, BS25 5PA on November 11, 2-4pm and 6-8pm.
Members of the project team will be on hand to discuss the proposals and listen to residents’ views.
The new power station would be one of the largest single generators connected to the UK electricity transmission system. As a result, National Grid will need to reinforce and upgrade the network in the area to accommodate the extra power and ensure system security. This will include replacing wires on existing overhead lines and upgrading some substations.
National Grid also needs to build a new 400,000 volt overhead line linking their substation in Bridgwater to the substation at Seabank in Avonmouth. This connection has been identified as the most efficient and economic way to accommodate the additional power, as well as being essential to help connect other power generation facilities which are planned in the area, and help meet the Government’s renewable targets by 2020.
National Grid senior project manager, David Mercer, said: ‘Electricity is an essential part of our lives and this line will play a key role in helping to meet the demand for power.’
Before any decisions are made, National Grid needs to hear the views of local people. It has completed some initial environmental studies and identified two potential ‘route corridors’ – broad widths of land in which an overhead line could be routed. At the exhibition they will be seeking feedback from the community on these route corridor options.
There are a number of other ways in which people can access information or express views on the project and route corridor options:
• At local council offices.
• At local libraries.
• Via the website: www.nationalgrid.com/hinkleyconnection.
• Via the email address: hinkleyconnection@uk.ngrid.com.
• Via the freepost address: Freepost, RRKX/EBGK/XXHT, Hinkley C Connection Project
Consultation Response, PO Box 5689, London, W1A 4FG.
• Via the freephone number: 0800 377 7347.