Network Options Assessment (NOA)

The Network Option Assessment (NOA) provides our recommendation for which network reinforcement projects should receive investment - and when. While we provide economic recommendations for reinforcements that will enable the flow of electricity around the transmission system, to facilitate the evolving energy landscape, we are not responsible for making the final decision on what, where and when to invest.

The NOA 2021/22 Refresh replaces the previously published NOA 2021/22 and incorporates the recommended offshore network design set out in the Holistic Network Design (HND).

Sections in NOA

The NOA Refresh and The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design

The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design helps to unlock the UK Government's ambition for 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030, by setting out a single, integrated approach that supports large scale delivery of electricity from offshore wind, to where it is needed across Great Britain.

The NOA 2021/22 Refresh forms part of the suite of documents that make up the Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design.

As we move towards an energy landscape that is dominated by renewable and zero carbon electricity, we need to take a more strategic and coordinated approach to transmitting large volumes of renewable generation to our demand centres across GB. Whilst our current network meets our needs for today, looking to the future, we need to evolve the transmission network to make sure it is capable of enabling delivery of the Government's 2030 offshore wind ambition and net zero target.

What NOA can and can't do

The NOA 2021/22 Refresh can…

Recommend the most economic reinforcements, whether infrastructure build or alternatives, for investment over the coming years, to meet bulk power transfer requirements as outlined by the ETYS.
Recommend when investments should be made under the single LW21+ scenario to deliver an efficient, coordinated, and economic future transmission system.
Recommend whether the TOs should start, continue, hold, or stop reinforcement projects to make sure they are completed at a time that will deliver the most benefit to consumers
Inform the HND of the most economic reinforcements for the onshore system that complement the HND offshore network for 2030.

The NOA 2021/22 Refresh cannot...

Address network compliance with NETS SQSS. Additional onshore reinforcements may be identified for network compliance, which is an integral part of designing a secure, operable, transmission system capable of facilitating net zero.
Recommend customer connections. The NOA only recommends the most economic reinforcement to resolve wider network issues.
Insist that reinforcement options are pursued. We can only recommend options based on our analysis. The TOs or other relevant parties are ultimately responsible for what, where and when they invest.
Comment on the details of any specific option, such as how it could be planned or delivered. The TOs or other relevant parties decide how they implement their options.
Evaluate the specific designs of any option, such as the choice of equipment, route, or environmental impacts. These types of decisions can only be made by the TOs or other relevant parties when the options are at a more advanced stage.
Assess network asset replacement projects which don’t increase network capability or individual customer connections.
Procure products or services. The NOA may highlight a need to explore options further, either through the NOA Pathfinder projects or further engagement with the industry.
Recommend options that offer no benefit to the boundaries we assess

What is the NOA 2021/22 Refresh?

The NOA 2021/22 Refresh is a key part of the network development process that will enable the delivery of the Government's offshore wind ambition. The NOA Refresh takes into consideration the recommended offshore network design that is set out in the HND, and identifies where on the onshore electricity transmission network there is a need for wider network reinforcement, to enable this additional electricity generation to flow from offshore wind farms to where it is needed, onshore.

The NOA process follows the previously published and approved NOA methodology. However, to align with the HND and ensure a consistent approach, some adjustments are necessary for this NOA 2021/22 Refresh. Where practicably possible, NOA 2021/22 Refresh follows the existing methodology, but differs in the following ways:

Use of single scenario

Find out more

The NOA Refresh uses a single scenario that has been updated to include offshore connections for all generators in scope of the HND. We call this scenario LW21+.

Back

HND Essential options

Find out more

To successfully deploy and connect the amount of offshore wind needed to achieve the Government's 2030 ambition, there are a number of different places on the network that need reinforcing. These reinforcements have been identified as HND essential options.

Back

Required in Service Date (RISD)

Find out more

We have introduced a new term RISD for NOA Refresh projects that are essential to facilitate the 2030 targets but have an EISD (earliest in service date) of later than 2030 are given an RISD.

Back

Investment recommendations

North of Scotland

HND Essential Options for North of Scotland

Code	Option description	EISD*	RISD**	Earliest optimal delivery date
BBNC	Beauly to Blackhillock 400 kV double circuit addition	2030		2030
BLN4	Beauly to Loch Buidhe 400 kV reinforcement	2031	2030	2030
BPNC	A new 400 kV double circuit between Blackhillock and Peterhead	2031	2030	2030
E4D3	Eastern Scotland to England link: Peterhead to Drax offshore HVDC	2029		2029
E4L5	Eastern Scotland to England 3rd link: Peterhead to the south Humber offshore HVDC	2031	2030	2030
PSDC	Spittal to Peterhead HVDC reinforcement	2030		2030
SLU4	New network need between Loch Buidhe and Spittal	2030		2030
TKUP	East Coast Onshore 400 kV Phase 2 reinforcement	2032	2030	2030

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

** Accelerating these projects would require the Government intervention as suggested in the April 2022 BESS and equivalent activities in Scotland

Option found optimal in NOA 2021/22 Refresh

Code	Option description	EISD*	Earliest optimal delivery date	NOA 2021/22 Refresh recommendation
BDUP	Uprate the Beauly to Denny 275 kV circuit to 400 kV	2029	2030	Hold
DLUP	Windyhill-Lambhill-Denny North 400 kV reinforcement	2029	2029	Proceed
DNEU	Denny North 400/275 kV second supergrid transformer	2025	2026	Hold
DWNO	Denny to Wishaw 400 kV reinforcement	2028	2028	Proceed
DWUP	Kincardine - Wishaw 400 kV reinforcement	2026	2026	Proceed
LWUP	Kincardine 400 kV reinforcement	2027	2027	Proceed
TFPC	Power flow control device along Tealing to Westfield	2025	2027	Hold

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

Central Scotland and the England-Scotland border

HND Essential Options

Code	Option description	EISD*	RISD	Earliest optimal delivery date
CDP3	Additional alternative power control devices along Cellarhead to Drakelow	2024		2027
CGNC	A new 400 kV double circuit between Creyke Beck and the south Humber	2031	2030	2030
CKPC	Power control device along Creyke Beck to Keadby to Killingholme	2024		2025
CWPC	Power control device along Cottam to West Burton	2024		2027
E2DC	Eastern subsea HVDC link from Torness to Hawthorn Pit	2027		2027
EHRE	Elvanfoot to Harker reconductoring	2028		2030
GWNC	A new 400 kV double circuit between the south Humber and south Lincolnshire	2031	2030	2030
KCEU	Creyke to Keadby to Killingholme circuits thermal uprating	2022		2025
KCRE	Reconductor Cottam to Keadby 400 kV double circuit	2025		2025
KWHW	Keadby to West Burton circuits thermal uprating	2024		2024
KWP2	Additional power control devices along the Keadby to West Burton number 1 circuit	2025		2026
KWPC	Power control device along Keadby to West Burton	2024		2024
LNRE	Reconductor Lackenby to Norton 400 kV single circuit	2024		2030
NOR4	Reconductor 13.75 km of Norton to Osbaldwick number 2 400 kV circuit	2024		2030
NOR5	Reconductor 13.75 km of Norton to Osbaldwick number 1 400 kV circuit to a higher rated conductor	2024		2027
OPN2	A new 400 kV double circuit between the existing Norton to Osbaldwick circuit and Poppleton and relevant 275 kV upgrades	2027		2027
SHNS	Upgrade substation in the south Humber area	2031	2030	2030
TGDC	Eastern subsea HVDC Link from east Scotland to south Humber area	2031	2030	2030
VERE	Strathaven - Elvanfoot OHL conductor replacement	2030		2030
VSRE	Strathaven - Smeaton OHL conductor replacement	2027		2027
WRRE	Reconductor West Burton to Ratcliffe-on-Soar circuit	2028		2030

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

** Accelerating these projects would require the Government intervention as suggested in the April 2022 BESS and equivalent activities in Scotland

Option found optimal in NOA 2021/22 Refresh

Code	Option description	EISD*	Earliest optimal delivery date	NOA 2021/22 Refresh recommendation
BSHW	Blyth to Stella West circuits thermal uprating	2024	2031	Hold
CDHW	Cellarhead to Drakelow circuits thermal uprating	2023	2023	Proceed
CLNC	New North West England to Lancashire reinforcement	2034	2036	Hold
CMNC	South east Scotland to north west England AC onshore reinforcement	2033	2033	Proceed
CS05	Commercial solution for Scotland and the north of England - stage 1	2024	2024	Proceed
CS06	Commercial solution for Scotland and the north of England - stage 2	2024	2024	Proceed
CS11	Commercial solution for the north of England - stage 1	2024	2024	Proceed
CS12	Commercial solution for the north of England - stage 2	2025	2025	Proceed
HAE2	Harker supergrid transformer 6 replacement	2023	2023	Proceed
HAEU	Harker supergrid transformer 5 and supergrid transformer 9A banking arrangement	2022	2022	Proceed
LCU2	Eastern B5 400 kV reinforcement	2031	2037	Hold
LPD2	Additional new HVDC link between North West England and North Wales	2035	2037	Hold
LPDC	New HVDC link between North West England and North Wales	2035	2036	Hold
MRP2	Additional power control devices at both Harker and Penwortham	2022	2022	Proceed
NEMS	225 MVAr MSCs within the north east region	2025	2026	Hold
NEP1	Power control device along Blyth to Tynemouth and Blyth to South Shields	2025	2025	Proceed
NEPC	Power control device along Blyth to Tynemouth and Blyth to South Shields	2024	2024	Proceed
NOR6	Reconductor the existing double circuit which runs from Norton to Osbaldwick	2028	2037	Hold
PWMS	Two 225MVAr MSCs at Penwortham	2025	2027	Hold
SNHW	Spennymoor to Norton circuit thermal uprating	2024	2027	Hold
SNRE	Reconductor the existing double circuit which runs from Spennymoor to Norton	2027	2037	Hold
SPRE	Reconductor the existing double circuit which runs from Spennymoor to Stella West	2027	2037	Hold
SSHW	Stella West to Spennymoor circuit thermal uprating	2024	2027	Hold
TLNO	East Coast Anglo-Scottish onshore reinforcement	2037	2037	Proceed
WCNC	West Coast onshore Anglo-Scottish new circuit	2036	2036	Proceed

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

Midlands, South and East of England

HND Essential Options

Code	Option description	EISD*	RISD	Earliest optimal delivery date
AENC	A new 400 kV double circuit in north East Anglia	2030		2030
ATNC	A new 400 kV double circuit in south East Anglia	2030		2030
BMM2	225 MVAr MSCs at Burwell Main	2022		2022
BPRE	Reconductor the newly formed second Bramford to Braintree to Rayleigh Main circuit	2028		2028
BRRE	Reconductor remainder of Bramford to Braintree to Rayleigh route	2023		2023
BTNO	A new 400 kV double circuit between Bramford and Twinstead	2028		2028
CDP1	Power control device along Cellarhead to Drakelow	2024		2027
CDP2	Power control device along Cellarhead to Drakelow	2024		2027
DFRE	Reconductor Drax to Fenwick Tee 400 kV circuit	2026		2030
DREU	Generator circuit breaker replacement to allow Thornton to run a two-way split	2025		2025
EBRE	Reconductor Enderby to Patford Bridge to East Claydon 400 kV double circuit	2026		2030
EDEU	400 kV upgrade of Brinsworth to Chesterfield double circuit and Chesterfield to High Marnham double circuit. New High Marnham and Chesterfield 400 kV substations	2027		2028
EDN2	New Chesterfield to Ratcliffe-on-Soar 400 kV double circuit	2032	2030	2030
ESC1	Second Elstree to St John’s Wood 400 kV circuit	2026		2029
GCHW	Cottam to Market Harborough to Grendon circuit thermal uprating	2025		2030
HWUP	Uprate Hackney, Tottenham and Waltham Cross 275 kV to 400 kV	2027		2027
IFR1	Feckenham to Ironbridge circuit reconductoring	2025		2030
LRN4	New network need from North Lincolnshire to Hertfordshire	2033	2030	2030
NBRE	Reconductor Bramford to Norwich double circuit	2023		2023
SCD1	New Offshore HVDC link between Suffolk and Kent option 1	2030		2030
SER1	Elstree to Sundon reconductoring	2024		2024
SER2	Elstree to Sundon 2 circuit turn-in and reconductoring	2026		2029
WSEU	Thermal upgrade for Sundon and Wymondley 400 kV substation	2024		2025
WYTI	Wymondley turn-in	2024		2028

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

** Accelerating these projects would require the Government intervention as suggested in the April 2022 BESS and equivalent activities in Scotland

Option found optimal in NOA 2021/22 Refresh

Code	Option description	EISD*	Earliest optimal delivery date	NOA 2021/22 Refresh recommendation
BFHW	Bramley to Fleet circuits thermal uprating	2024	2025	Hold
BFPC	Power control device along Bramley to Fleet	2025	2029	Hold
BFRE	Bramley to Fleet reconductoring	2025	2026	Hold
BWRE	Reconductor Barking to West Ham double circuit	2025	2028	Hold
CS07	Commercial solution for East Anglia - stage 1	2025	2025	Proceed
CS08	Commercial solution for East Anglia - stage 2	2025	2025	Proceed
CTRE	Reconductor remainder of Coryton South to Tilbury circuit	2022	2022	Proceed
ERPC	Power control devices along the Enderby to Ratcliffe circuits	2026	2033	Hold
FHRE	Reconductor the existing 400 kV single circuit which runs from Feckenham to Hams Hall	2027	2033	Hold
GCRE	Reconductor the existing double circuit which runs from Cottam to Grendon	2028	2037	Hold
MBHW	Bramley to Melksham circuits thermal uprating	2024	2026	Hold
MBRE	Bramley to Melksham reconductoring	2026	2027	Hold
NBEU	Thermal upgrade for Bramford and Norwich 400 kV substations	2025	2028	Hold
NTP1	Power control device north of Tilbury 400 kV	2024	2024	Proceed
PEM1	225 MVAr MSCs at Pelham	2024	2024	Proceed
PEM2	225 MVAr MSCs at Pelham	2024	2024	Proceed
RHM1	225 MVAr MSCs at Rye House	2024	2024	Proceed
RHM2	225 MVAr MSCs at Rye House	2024	2024	Proceed
RTRE	Reconductor remainder of Rayleigh to Tilbury circuit	2022	2022	Proceed
SEEU	Reactive compensation protective switching scheme	2024	2024	Proceed
TGP1	Power control device along Tilbury to Grain	2024	2024	Proceed
TKP1	Power control device along Tilbury to Kingsnorth	2024	2026	Hold
TKRE	Tilbury to Grain and Tilbury to Kingsnorth upgrade	2028	2028	Proceed
TWNC	Upgrade Wymondley, Waltham Cross and Tilbury 275 kV to 400 kV	2033	2033	Proceed
WAM1	225 MVAr MSCs at Walpole	2025	2025	Proceed
WAM2	225 MVAr MSCs at Walpole	2025	2025	Proceed
WCC1	Cable replacement at Hinksey	2027	2037	Hold
WWNC	New South Lincolnshire to East Anglia double circuit	2032	2033	Hold

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

Wales and Celtic Sea

HND Essential Options

Code	Option description	EISD*	RISD**	Earliest optimal delivery date
PSNC	New network need between North Wales and South Wales	2037	2030	2030
PTC1	Pentir to Trawsfynydd cable replacement	2027		2028
PTNO	North Wales reinforcement	2028		2029

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

** Accelerating these projects would require the Government intervention as suggested in the April 2022 BESS and equivalent activities in Scotland

Option found optimal in NOA 2021/22 Refresh

Code	Option description	EISD*	Earliest optimal delivery date	NOA 2021/22 Refresh recommendation
CS20	Commercial solution for north of Wales - stage 1	2026	2033	Hold
CS21	Commercial solution for north of Wales - stage 2	2026	2033	Hold
HBUP	Uprate Bridgewater to 400 kV and reconductor the route to Hinkley	2024	2027	Hold

*EISD is currently based on the current regulatory and consenting process and acceleration

The NOA Refresh and The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design

What NOA can and can't do

What is the NOA 2021/22 Refresh?

Use of single scenario

HND Essential options

Required in Service Date (RISD)

Investment recommendations

Discover more about the NOA

The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design

NOA methodology

Way Forward

Interactive map

Key documents

NOA for Interconnectors

Subscribe to our newsletter

Connect with NOA

Download the NOA publication

The NOA Refresh and The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design

What NOA can and can't do

What is the NOA 2021/22 Refresh?

Use of single scenario

HND Essential options

Required in Service Date (RISD)

Investment recommendations

Discover more about the NOA