NATIONAL Grid has reached a significant milestone with its Hinkley Connection Project, with 27 miles of new overhead power lines now energised between Sandford and Seabank.

The switch-on strengthens the Westcountry’s electricity infrastructure and enables more power to be moved securely across the transmission network in England and Wales.

Once fully completed, the Hinkley Connection Project will bring sources of low-carbon, homegrown energy to six million homes and businesses across the UK, including from the new Hinkley Point C power station.

The milestone marks the end of construction across the project’s northern section, and follows months of planned works between Melksham, Sandford Substation, and Seabank.

The northern section includes 95 out of the project’s 146 pylons, including 68 new T-pylons between Towerhead and Crooks Marsh.

The completion of the northern route builds on the earlier energisation of the southern route in 2023.

The project team will now focus on restoring land along the northern section of the route to pre-construction condition.

With just 13 T-pylons now left to be energised, the next major phase of works will take place during planned outages at Huntspill, enabling additional sections of the route to be connected and brought into service, moving the project closer to full completion.

The Hinkley Connection Project spans 35.5 miles between National Grid’s new Shurton substation on the Hinkley Point C site and its existing Seabank substation, in Avonmouth.

Overhead lines, mostly T-pylons, make up 30 miles while a five-mile stretch of underground cable runs through the Mendip Hills.

Since construction started, National Grid’s community grant programme has awarded more than £1.4 million to fund projects by organisations and charities in areas near its operations.

National Grid infrastructure delivery director Mark Lissimore said: “This is a landmark moment for the Hinkley Connection Project and represents years of careful planning, construction, and collaboration with local communities.

“Energising the northern section is a significant step towards completing the project and delivering the infrastructure needed to carry low‑carbon, homegrown electricity to around six million homes and businesses.

“We are proud of the work completed so far and grateful to local communities for their patience as we have delivered this essential upgrade to the network.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “This is yet another milestone in building an energy system that is fit for the future.

“Powering up this new part of the grid will connect millions of homes and businesses to the clean, homegrown nuclear power at Hinkley Point C, helping to secure energy independence from fossil fuels and lower bills.”

Balfour Beatty’s power transmission and distribution managing director Tony Wilson said: “Working closely with National Grid and our supply chain partners, we are proud to have contributed to strengthening the electricity network in the South West, enabling the reliable transmission of low carbon, homegrown energy to millions of homes and businesses.

“This achievement reflects the expertise of our teams and the strong collaboration across the project, and we now look forward to supporting the final stages as the route moves towards full completion.”