Representation by National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (National Grid Electricity Transmission plc)
- Date submitted
- 10 December 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
PDF VERSION TO FOLLOW BY EMAIL Representation by National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc and National Grid Gas Plc in respect of the Teesside Net Zero Project DCO (the “Project”) This relevant representation is submitted on behalf of National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc (“NGET”) and National Grid Gas Plc (“NGG”) (together, “National Grid”) in respect of the Project, and in particular National Grid’s infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the proposed Order limits. National Grid will require appropriate protection for retained apparatus including compliance with relevant standards for works proposed within close proximity of its apparatus. National Grid’s rights of access to inspect, maintain, renew and repair such apparatus must also be maintained at all times and access to inspect and maintain such apparatus must not be restricted. Further, where the Promoter intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of National Grid’s interests in land or National Grid’s apparatus, National Grid will require appropriate protection and further discussion is required on the impact to its apparatus and rights. Further detail is set out below. National Grid infrastructure within/in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits National Grid owns or operates the following infrastructure within or in close proximity to the proposed Order limits for the Project: Electricity Transmission NGET has a number of substations and a high voltage electricity overhead transmission line within or in close proximity to the proposed Order limits including a proposed connection at Tod Point 275Kv substation. The substations and overhead line form an essential part of the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. The details of the electricity assets are as follows: Substations • Tod Point 275kV Substation and associated fibre cables • Tod Point 66kV Substation • Saltholme 275kV Substation (outside the red line but in close proximity so may be some impact on access etc) Overhead Lines • YYQ (275kV) overhead line Hartlepool - Tod Point Lackenby - Tod Point • ZZA (400kV) overhead line Lackenby - Norton 400kv 1 Lackenby - Tod Point • YYJ/N (400kV) overhead line Lackenby - Norton 400kv 1 Norton - Saltholme Gas Transmission NGG has a high pressure gas transmission pipeline and above ground installations (“AGI”) located within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits including a proposed connection at Teesside AGI. The transmission pipeline and AGIs form an essential part of the gas transmission network in England, Wales and Scotland: Transmission Pipelines: • Feeder 6 Cowpen Bewley - Teesside BOC • Feeder 6 Teesside to PX • Feeder 6 Cowpen Bewley - Billingham ICI • Feeder 6 Cowpen Bewley - Little Burdon To Billingham Above Ground Installations • Billingham AGI (this adjacent to Plot 10) • Teesside AGI • Teesside BASF AG • Teesside BOC AGI Protection of National Grid Assets As a responsible statutory undertaker, National Grid’s primary concern is to meet its statutory obligations and ensure that any development does not impact in any adverse way upon those statutory obligations. As such, National Grid has a duty to protect its position in relation to infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the Order limits of the proposed Project. As noted, National Grid’s rights to retain its apparatus in situ and rights of access to inspect, maintain, renew and repair such apparatus located within or in close proximity to the Order limits should be maintained at all times and access to inspect and maintain such apparatus must not be restricted. National Grid will require protective provisions to be included within the DCO for the Project to ensure that its interests are adequately protected and to ensure compliance with relevant safety standards. National Grid is liaising with the Promoter in relation to such protective provisions, along with any supplementary agreements which may be required. National Grid requests that the Promoter continues to engage with it to provide explanation and reassurances as to how the Promoter’s works pursuant to the Order (if made) will ensure protection for those National Grid assets which will remain in situ, along with facilitating all future access and other rights as are necessary to allow National Grid to properly discharge its statutory obligations. National Grid will continue to liaise with the Promoter in this regard with a view to concluding matters as soon as possible during the DCO Examination and will keep the Examining Authority updated in relation to these discussions. Compulsory Acquisition Powers in respect of the Project As noted, where the Promoter intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of National Grid’s interests in land, National Grid will require further discussion with the Promoter. National Grid are seeking clarification from the promoter as to the extent of works and land take in the vicinity of the Tod Point substation and that all rights of access to the substation and other apparatus will remain unaffected by the promoters proposal. National Grid is also concerned that a number of plots are included in the Book of Reference for the Project where National Grid has fibre cables assets that do not appear to be referenced. National Grid has confirmed the existence of the fibre cable assets with the Promoter in its earlier consultation responses including the section 42 consultation response of 14th September 2020. National Grid reserves the right to make further representations as part of the Examination process in relation to specific interactions with its assets but in the meantime will continue to liaise with the applicant with a view to reaching a satisfactory agreement. Connections The DCO proposes a connection to NGET’s Tod Point 275 kV substation to upload electricity from the NSIP. The DCO also proposes a tie in point into the NGG Teesside AGI to offtake gas for the purposes of the NSIP. In relation to both connections National Grid is working with the promoter to enter into connection agreements and other commercial arrangements at the relevant time. Further updates will be provided in the Statement of Common Ground.