National Grid builds new transmission control centre
The new facility is being built at Hams Hall to strengthen grid resilience and support Britain’s clean energy transition.
Hams Hall control centre / Image credit: National Grid
UK, England, Hams Hall: National Grid has started building a new Electricity Transmission Control Centre (ETCC) at Hams Hall in the Midlands, on the site of a former 275 kV substation.
The ETCC is designed to manage Britain’s expanding electricity transmission system as it adapts to the challenges of decarbonisation and energy security. The facility will consolidate multiple control functions into one space, operate around the clock, and work alongside the existing Transmission Network Control Centre.
Once operational, engineers will oversee more than 7,000 km of overhead line, 700 km of underground cable, and over 300 substations. The centre will also coordinate with customers connected to the transmission network and provide critical updates to stakeholders such as the National Energy System Operator and government agencies.
Hams Hall, a brownfield site with a history of coal-fired generation, is being redeveloped to house the new facility. The project will create construction jobs and long-term roles in engineering, while supporting STEM education opportunities in the local community. National Grid says biodiversity improvements of at least 10 % are planned for the site.
Construction began in April 2025 with groundwork and piling. Steel structures started rising in September 2025, and the facility is expected to be fully operational in 2028.
The project forms part of broader investment in the grid to manage rising demand, integrate renewable energy, and ensure the system remains resilient in the years ahead.
Source: National Grid
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