Necton Greener Grid Park

About Necton Greener Grid Park

The Necton Greener Grid Park is a pioneering project that will help achieve zero-carbon emissions in Britain by increasing the stability of the electricity grid and the amount of renewable energy being delivered onto the grid network. We submitted a planning application in Spring 2023, following local consultation. 

On 7 May 2024 Statkraft secured a resolution to grant planning permission for Necton Greener Grid park. 

We have prepared a short briefing note to explain our plans and why National Grid Energy Systems Operator (NGESO) has identified Norfolk as an area which requires more grid stabilisation in more detail. You can review our briefing note here.  It contains no new information. 

Why do we need Greener Grid Parks?

Greener Grid Parks are a collection of buildings, containing zero carbon technology which stabilise the grid, allowing more renewable energy to be transmitted through the network. They are not a wind or solar farm, the buildings resemble agricultural barns, storage units or shipping containers.

A Greener Grid Park has large electrical machines with flywheels (called synchronous compensators) that can replace the spinning turbines of a traditional power station but without emitting any carbon dioxide.

It means that GB’s energy system will be able to handle increasing amounts of renewable energy without relying on coal and gas-fired turbines.

To find out more about the Necton Greener Grid Park, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions or Get in touch.

necton benefits infographic

Find out more about our Greener Grid Parks. 

 

Project timeline

  • Stage 1: Site Selection

    Extensive research to identify suitable sites. No public engagement is carried out during this time because the site may not pass the criteria required for being suitable for development.

  • Stage 2: Pre-Planning

    We request the view of Breckland Council on the level of study required. We contact local elected representatives and consultees.

  • Stage 3: Submit Planning Application, and Await Decision

    An application is submitted to Breckland Council, accompanied by a comprehensive Planning Report and Environmental Assessments showing the results of all studies undertaken.  

  • Stage 4: Construction

    If the project is approved, construction typically takes 18 months. Planning conditions are used to manage elements of construction.

  • Stage 5: Operation

    The project is managed by a regionally based maintenance team, and operations are controlled by detailed planning conditions.

     

Articles

Picture of a white construction van outside at a windfarm

Find your frequently asked questions here

If you can't find your question(s) here, please leave them in the form at the bottom of this page, and we will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.  

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Project Team

Sacha Lloyd Rutherford
Project Manager - Greener Grid Parks
Kate Brown
Community Liaison Manager

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