Representation by National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc (National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc)
- Date submitted
- 1 May 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Relevant Representation of National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc in respect of the Oaklands Farm Solar DCO (the “Project”) This relevant representation is submitted on behalf of National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc (“NGET”) in respect of the Project, and in particular NGET’s infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits. NGET will require appropriate protection for retained apparatus including compliance with relevant standards for works proposed within close proximity of its apparatus. NGET’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 Applicant intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of NGET’s interests in land or NGET’s apparatus, NGET will require appropriate protection and further discussion is required on the impact to its apparatus and rights. NGET infrastructure within/in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits: NGET owns or operates the following infrastructure within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits for the Project. These assets form an essential part of the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. The details of the electricity assets are as follows: Substations • Drakelow1 132kV Substation • Drakelow2 275kV Substation • Drakelow4 400kV Substation Overhead Lines • ZN 400kV Drakelow – Rugeley/Bushbury - Rugeley • ZE 400kV Cellarhead – Drakelow 1/ Cellarhead – Drakelow 2 • 4YP 400kV Bustleholm – Drakelow 1/Bustleholm – Drakelow 2 • ZF 400 kV Drakelow – Hams Hall/Drakelow – Oldbury • ZS 400kV Drakelow – Willington East/Drakelow – Ratcliffe on Soar Protection of NGET Assets: As a responsible statutory undertaker, NGET’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, NGET has a duty to protect its position in relation to infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the draft Order Limits. As noted, NGET’s rights to retain its apparatus in situ and rights of access to inspect, maintain, renew, repair and refurbish 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. NGET will require its standard protective provisions to be included within the draft Development Consent Order (the “Order”) for the Project to ensure that its interests are adequately protected and to ensure compliance with relevant safety standards. NGET is liaising with the Applicant in relation to such protective provisions, along with any supplementary agreements which may be required. NGET requests that the Applicant continues to engage with it to provide explanation and reassurances as to how the Applicant’s works pursuant to the Order (if made) will ensure protection for those NGET assets which will remain in situ, along with facilitating all future access and other rights as are necessary to allow NGET to properly discharge its statutory obligations. NGET will continue to liaise with the Applicant 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: The Applicant is seeking compulsory acquisition powers (acquisition of rights) over plots 01-001, 01-002, 01-003, 01-004, 01-007 , 01-009, 01-010 and 01-011 which form part of NGET’s 275kV/400kV substation and access at Drakelow. NGET objects to the compulsory acquisition of its assets, land or rights over its land in the absence of an agreed form of protective provisions. It is essential that nothing contained within the Order prevents NGET from continuing to deliver future plans or from accommodating other electricity connection customers. Furthermore, the Applicant is seeking compulsory acquisition powers over a number of plots which include NGET overhead line assets and/or interests. As noted, where the Applicant intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of NGET’s interests in land, NGET will require further discussion with the Applicant and NGET will require its standard protective provisions to be included within the Order. NGET 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 NGET is engaged with and will continue to liaise with the Applicant with a view to reaching a satisfactory agreement.