Offshore wind farm substation approved

Plans have been approved to build a large electricity substation in East Yorkshire which will be linked to offshore wind farms.

The 7.4-acre (three hectare) site at Birkhill Wood near Cottingham would be connected to three wind farms being built in the North Sea.

The nearby Creyke Beck substation will also be expanded to accommodate battery storage and additional power from future offshore developments, National Grid said.

The company said the developments would provide enough electricity to power more than four million homes.

Daniel Cohen, senior project manager at National Grid, said: "The substation is needed to connect offshore wind farms to meet growing electricity demand and will help ensure communities across the North East have a resilient and reliable power supply as everyday life becomes increasingly electrified.

"Strengthening the network is essential to support local businesses, future jobs and the connection of more secure, cleaner, home-grown energy from more affordable sources."

The company said that as part of the development it would protect "existing landscaping and trees around the site boundary".

Construction work will start in spring 2027 and the site is expected to be operational by 2030.

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