Key Highlights
- National Grid is upgrading a 400kV substation in Didcot, Oxfordshire to support the UK’s growing datacentre sector.
- The project will include three bays and supergrid transformers, as well as a 132kV indoor gas-insulated switchgear facility.
- The upgrade aims to enhance grid capacity for future projects and support Britain’s digital ambitions.
- National Grid is investing in the substation to reduce its network sulphur hexafluoride emissions by 50% by 2030.
UK Datacentre Growth and Energy Infrastructure
The United Kingdom’s datacentre sector is experiencing rapid growth, with the demand for electricity expected to double by 2050. According to projections from National Grid, datacentres alone are set to triple their share of total UK electricity consumption, rising from 3% in 2025 to 9% by 2035.
Upgrading Didcot Substation
To meet this growing demand and ensure the nation’s power grid can handle the increasing number of datacentres, National Grid is undertaking a significant infrastructure project. The organization has confirmed that it is starting work on upgrading a 400kV substation in Didcot, Oxfordshire. This substation will be used to connect new datacentres to the national grid.
The upgrade includes extending the existing 400kV outdoor air-insulated substation with three additional bays and three supergrid transformers.
Additionally, a 132kV indoor gas-insulated switchgear facility will be built next door to minimize the project’s environmental impact. This comprehensive overhaul is being overseen by Linxon, a power station construction and management company that has previously collaborated with National Grid on other infrastructure projects.
Environmental Commitments
National Grid is committed not only to meeting the growing energy demands of datacentres but also to reducing its environmental footprint. Peter Hancock, Project Director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, emphasized the project’s role in supporting both the energy transition and the growth of the digital economy regionally and nationally.
Specifically, the upgraded Didcot substation will support Britain’s digital ambitions while boosting grid capacity for future projects to plug into. The substation is located near the UK government’s first confirmed AI Growth Zone (AIGZ) in Culham, Oxfordshire, at the headquarters of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
This strategic location ensures that the upgraded facility can provide essential power to support both local and national communities.
National Grid has also set a goal for itself to reduce network sulphur hexafluoride emissions by 50% by 2030. Sulphur hexafluoride is a greenhouse gas commonly used as an electrical insulator, making the upgrade’s environmental benefits significant. The project at Didcot substation reflects National Grid’s commitment to building a cleaner, greener electricity network for future generations.
Broader Context and Future Implications
The Didcot substation expansion is part of a larger five-year investment push by the National Grid valued at £35 billion. This initiative aims to increase the UK’s electricity generation capacity and make it easier for datacentres and gigafactories to connect to the grid.
Recently, Blackpool Council has also revealed its plans to build a tech-focused regeneration project that includes a planning application for a datacentre and a bid to become one of the UK government’s AI growth zones. This move aligns with broader efforts across the country to support the datacentre industry’s rapid expansion.
Industry experts at TechUK have highlighted that with more government support, the UK’s datacentre sector could become one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors. As such, projects like the Didcot substation upgrade are crucial in ensuring that the UK can meet its digital ambitions while maintaining sustainable energy practices.
