National Grid powers up electric vehicle hub
National Grid is starting work on a new 275kV substation on IAMP to enable a new gigafactory and electric vehicle hub to plug directly into the electricity transmission network.
The scheme, which is a joint venture with Sunderland and South Tyneside Councils, will allow 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.
Once completed and energised in 2026, Hylton Castle substation will – with its three new 100-tonne supergrid transformers and advanced control systems – reinforce the network in the region and create electricity capacity on site equivalent to powering around half a million homes for a day.
IAMP spans 150 hectares of land across both Sunderland and South Tyneside local authority areas, and is backed with £42m from the UK government through the Local Growth Fund and North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Alice Delahunty, president of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said:
“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.”
Patrick Melia, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, said:
“The creation of Nissan’s EV36Zero Hub will create and sustain many thousands of jobs for years to come, so this is a transformation project that is powered by partnership working. We’re pleased to see this work move forward.”
Jonathan Tew, chief executive of South Tyneside Council, said:
“IAMP is a vitally important project which will support the growth of the UK manufacturing sector, this new grid connection will unlock enormous potential thanks to collaboration with National Grid and our colleagues at Sunderland City Council.”
Steve Galliers, project director at OTW, said:
“This project is one of several that Omexom and Taylor Woodrow JV is delivering on behalf of National Grid. We are proud to be helping to build resilience in the UK’s energy provision and excited to play a part in one of the most important developments in the UK.”
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