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Record-breaking renewable power projects are among the 2.4GW of new generation connections we plugged into our transmission network during 2025, in another key step in the UK’s clean energy transition.

This year’s works build on the 3GW of connections we delivered in 2024 – which included a new interconnector between Wales and Ireland – and is part of 12.6GW of generation capacity we’ve connected in England and Wales over the past five years.

• In April the 373MW Cleve Hill Solar Park, Britain’s largest solar array, began exporting power across the network following work to connect it at our Cleve Hill substation in Kent.

• Over summer Statera Energy’s Thurrock Storage project, the country’s biggest battery energy storage system (BESS), connected at our Tilbury substation in Essex to add 300MW of flexible capacity across London and the south east.

• And in September we completed upgrades and commissioning activity at our Lackenby substation in North Yorkshire in readiness for RWE’s Sofia offshore wind farm – one of the world’s biggest – to complete construction.

Connecting these landmark projects highlights the strong progress Britain is making towards its clean energy ambitions

We also completed works for more than 400MW of additional BESS connections during the year, including a 150MW scheme connecting at Ferrybridge substation in West Yorkshire, a 100MW facility plugging in at Thornton substation in North Yorkshire, and further projects at our substations in Enderby (Leicestershire), Rainhill (Merseyside) and Bredbury (Greater Manchester).

Meeting growing demand

2025 saw around half a gigawatt of demand connecting, notably in November when we energised our new Little Horsted substation in East Sussex. The facility will enable a new connection for the local distribution network operator (DNO), UK Power Networks, to supply homes and businesses in the region and meet increased demand.

Upgrades as part of our ongoing Willesden and Kensal Green Connection project also saw the commissioning of a new power feed from Willesden substation in Greater London to facilitate DNO supplies to a new data centre in the Park Royal area. Alongside the energisation of new London Power Tunnels circuits during 2025, these works are helping to further reinforce the network in the capital.

Connecting these landmark generation and demand projects highlights the strong progress Britain is making towards its clean energy ambitions, and the leading role National Grid is playing in that transition, working closely with developers and our supply chain.

Alongside the engineering work to connect projects, we’re actively supporting the connections reform programme led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) – helping ensure the schemes that are most ready and most needed are prioritised to meet Britain’s future energy needs.

Find out more about how we’re facilitating new grid connections.