Yorkshire GREEN reaches construction milestone
Eighteen months into the £400m National Grid project, work has commenced on substations at Overton and Monk Fryston, while 28 permanent pylons and 35km of overhead electricity lines have now been installed.
Since starting in January 2025, the project has also seen the successful delivery and installation of eight 200-tonne supergrid transformers, marking a significant step in expanding electricity capacity across the region.
The scheme forms part of National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, a nationwide programme to modernise the UK’s electricity transmission network.
The investment is designed to increase grid capacity as demand for electricity grows and more renewable energy projects connect to the network.
Construction remains on schedule throughout 2026, with work continuing at the substations in Overton and Monk Fryston, while upgrade works at Osbaldwick Substation are expected to be completed this summer.
Along the route, pylons and overhead lines are being installed between Shipton and Overton, with that section due for completion later this year ahead of its connection to the new Overton Substation.
Between Overton and Moor Monkton, contractors are continuing to build new transmission infrastructure while dismantling existing overhead lines and removing temporary pylons.
Further north, construction is progressing between Monk Fryston and Lumby, where new permanent pylons and overhead lines are being installed alongside the removal of older infrastructure around Monk Fryston Substation.
As sections of the project are completed, reinstatement work has begun to restore land affected by construction as part of National Grid’s pledge to leave habitats along the route in a better condition than before work began.
The new transmission infrastructure is expected to begin entering service in 2027, with construction, dismantling and land reinstatement due to be completed in 2028.
Martin McGready, project director for Yorkshire GREEN, said: “Since we entered the main phase of construction, the project has progressed – from busy substation sites to activity across our overhead line network.
“We would like to thank everyone who lives and works near to Yorkshire GREEN for their patience while we deliver this upgrade to the region’s electricity network.
“We know that construction activities can be disruptive and are grateful for the continued support as we work to deliver cleaner, home-grown energy to homes, businesses and public services across Yorkshire and beyond.”
