National Grid begins work on substation for major EV hub

National Grid has commenced work on a new 275kV substation which will help power a major new electric vehicle (EV) hub at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in South Tyneside.

With its three 100-tonne supergrid transformers and advanced control systems, the Hylton Castle substation will provide a new grid connection for Nissan, AESC UK and Sunderland City Council’s EV36Zero electric vehicle hub at IAMP, which brings together EV manufacture, battery production and a renewable energy microgrid.

The network reinforcement project is scheduled to be completed in 2026 and National Grid said it will create enough electricity to power around half a million homes for a day.

National Grid recently re-routed a kilometre long stretch of pylons and overhead power lines to run around the 150 hectare IAMP site’s future perimeter, freeing up land for work on the substation and gigafactories to progress on schedule.

Omexom and Taylor Woodrow (OTW) joint venture – part of the VINCI group – has been appointed as the contractor to carry out the works, with site surveys already underway and construction activity due to start this month.

The IAMP site is spread on land across both the Sunderland and South Tyneside local authority areas, and is backed with £42 million from the government through the Local Growth Fund and North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Alice Delahunty, president of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Sunderland City Council, Nissan and AESC UK to help bring the EV36Zero hub and other IAMP developments to life with a new high voltage substation and grid connection at Hylton Castle.

“Plugging the site directly into our transmission network – the electricity superhighway that spans England and Wales – will deliver it a firm supply of power 24/7, and enable its operations that will support jobs and prosperity in the area for years to come.”