National Grid has switched on 44km of newly built overhead power lines from Sandford to Seabank, marking a major step forward for the Hinkley Connection Project.

Once fully complete, the scheme will deliver low‑carbon, homegrown electricity to around six million homes and businesses across the UK, including power from the new Hinkley Point C power station.

This milestone confirms the end of construction on the project’s northern section, following months of planned works between Melksham, Sandford Substation and Seabank.

The northern stretch features 95 of the project’s 146 pylons, including 68 new T‑pylons between Towerhead and Crooks Marsh.

It builds on the southern route’s earlier energisation in 2023. The project team will now focus on restoring land along the northern corridor to its pre‑construction condition.

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With only 13 T‑pylons still to be energised, the next significant phase will take place during planned outages at Huntspill, enabling more sections to be connected and brought into service, taking the project closer to completion.

In total, the Hinkley Connection runs 57km between National Grid’s new Shurton substation on the Hinkley Point C site and its existing Seabank substation in Avonmouth.

Of this, 48.5km is overhead line — mostly T‑pylons — while an 8.5km underground section crosses the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Since construction began, National Grid’s Community Grant Programme has awarded more than £1.4 million to local organisations. In addition, 1,951 grants to schools totalling £1,311,500 have benefited over 500,000 young people, including funding workshops to inspire the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) professionals.

Mark Lissimore, Director of Infrastructure Delivery at National Grid, 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’ve delivered this essential upgrade to the network."