National Grid has received full planning approval for its Grain to Tilbury project – which will see a new 2.3km tunnel built beneath the River Thames.

It was given the go-head from Thurrock Council in Essex and Gravesham Borough Council in Kent, after submitting planning applications in December 2023.

The project forms part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in a generation.

Grain to Tilbury will upgrade the existing electricity network by replacing the existing Thames Cable Tunnel, linking Tilbury and Gravesend.

Originally installed in the 1960s, the current tunnel and cables have reached the end of their operational life.

The project involves the construction of a new 2.3km tunnel beneath the River Thames, the installation of new cabling and new headhouses at each end for access.

Cable sealing end compounds will also be installed to connect the new underground cable to the wider electricity network.

Ferrovial in partnership with BEMO (Ferrovial BEMO JV) has now begun construction, which is expected to complete in 2029.

National Grid is also planning further refurbishment of the overhead line between Tilbury, Kingsnorth and the Isle of Grain. This phase of work is scheduled for 2028, and local communities will be consulted as plans progress.

Mark Farmer, Grain to Tilbury project director, said: “We are delighted our planning applications for the Grain to Tilbury project have been approved, and this marks a significant step forward in upgrading electricity infrastructure in the region.

“We look forward to progressing with the next stages of the project and continuing to work closely with local communities and stakeholders.”