How community feedback shapes grid upgrades

Yahoo

17-07-2025

East Anglia is at the heart of building Britain's energy future. With more home-grown renewable energy connecting to the network, National Grid's Norwich to Tilbury project is designed to move that cleaner power to homes, businesses and public services across Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond, boosting energy security and economic growth.
Listening to local people is a vital part of how National Grid shapes these projects. Alongside surveys, technical and engineering considerations, feedback received from communities helps guide decisions and improve proposals.
Leading this effort on the Norwich to Tilbury project is Becky Cail, lead consents officer. Her job is to make sure what people tell National Grid really counts.
With a background in environmental management, Becky joined National Grid two years ago, having previously worked on other major projects including Crossrail and National Grid's Bramford to Twinstead upgrade project.
This experience helps her balance environmental concerns with community interests.
As Becky explains, feedback comes in many forms – emails, letters, public meetings and informal conversations.
'We read every single submitted comment carefully and identify the changes being requested,' she said. 'That way we can understand what matters most to people and make sure no concerns are missed.'
The Norwich to Tilbury project has received around 20,000 pieces of feedback so far. Becky said managing this volume is challenging but rewarding.
'It takes time, but it's worth it,' she added. 'We carefully review each piece of feedback and assess which changes can realistically be made, within the planning rules set by government.'
Becky Cail leads the team making sure community feedback is carefully considered every step of the way (Image: National Grid) Becky highlights several examples where community feedback has led to meaningful changes, including concerns raised about the visual impact of overhead power lines near Great Horkesley, close to Dedham Vale National Landscape. As a result, the project team introduced an underground cable section in this sensitive area.
'We have listened to concerns about traffic impact and included plans for temporary haul roads to avoid passing through villages, including the introduction of a bypass haul road at Holton St Mary,' said Becky.
'We also received feedback from Thurrock Airfield, and as a result we have introduced lower height pylons in this location.'
These examples show how local knowledge helps improve the project.
'Communities know their areas best,' Becky added. 'When people see their feedback making a difference, it builds trust and shows we're listening.'
The process is ongoing. Becky and her team are still reviewing feedback from the consultations. The project will submit a detailed feedback report alongside its development application, including all comments received so far. Previous reports from 2022 and 2023 are already published online.
'We've made hundreds of changes based on what we've heard,' said Becky. 'Listening to people is a key part of developing a project that will bring more renewable energy benefits to everyone.'
For more information and to see previous feedback reports, please visit
This article is part of LOCALiQ's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.