Development consent has been granted for a new £400m green electricity project to upgrade the high-voltage power network in North Yorkshire.

Construction of the Yorkshire GREEN electricity grid project is due to start this summer.

Morrison Energy Services, part of the MGroup, will deliver the new overhead line and existing overhead line refurbishment, while Murphy will build two new substations in Overton and Monk Fryston.

Hyosung and Hyundai will supply transformers to the substations.

This will help deliver the government’s net zero targets as well as enable a cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient energy system.

Yorkshire GREEN is the first of seven onshore projects proposed by National Grid across England and Wales as part of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework established by Ofgem.

Matt Staley, Onshore Delivery Director for National Grid said: “I am delighted after months of consideration the Government has granted development consent to build Yorkshire GREEN.

“This marks a major milestone for The Great Grid Upgrade, and as the first project to have been given consent to begin construction, it will help the UK to meet its net zero and energy security ambitions, reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to lower energy bills over the long-term.”