Press release: Hinkley Point C Connection Project

Today’s decision by the Secretary of State to approve the Hinkley Point C connection is an important step towards enabling the proposed new nuclear power station to supply enough low carbon electricity for over five million homes.

The extra transmission capacity is needed for Hinkley Point C to make its important contribution to the UK’s requirement for affordable, low carbon electricity for decades to come. It already has planning approval (through a Development Consent Order) from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, granted in March 2013, as well as other licences and consents required.

National Grid has an agreement in place with EDF Energy to provide the connection, which must be ready well before Hinkley Point C starts generating electricity. Today’s decision follows a thorough and robust planning process during which National Grid examined a range of options and consulted widely on its proposals.