WORLDTECHNational Grid completes purchase of 73 acres at Teesside for planned substation
National Grid Electricity Transmission has completed the purchase of roughly 29.5 hectares at Dorman Point on Teesside, where it intends to build a substation expected to contribute more than 1 GW of fresh electrical capacity. Crypto Briefing reports that the land agreement was reached in late October 2026.
What the purchase includes
The parcel totals 73 acres at Dorman Point and is owned by Teesworks, a local partnership between public and private bodies. National Grid Electricity Transmission finalised the acquisition of approximately 29.5 hectares, which is the same area expressed in acres.
The substation is part of Great Grid Upgrade, the wider scheme through which National Grid aims to expand and modernise the transmission network. The project is expected to bring more than 1 GW of new electrical capacity online.
Capacity may climb considerably higher
Local figures point to considerably larger totals than the initial capacity. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is one of those who have suggested the location might eventually handle as much as 3.2 GW.
The facility is designed to supply an emerging private-wire network that will serve a neighbouring AI datacentre and a battery energy storage system. The site adjoins the planned datacentre, which will require a very large volume of power.
Why Teesside and the wider site matter
Teesworks is described as Europe's largest brownfield site, spanning 2,500 acres. Around 10 per cent of the area is publicly held by the South Tees Development Corporation, while the remainder falls within the public-private partnership framework that governs the broader estate.
In 2025 the UK government singled out Teesworks as a strong candidate for a major AI datacentre complex. Earlier planning applications outlined a campus of nearly 500,000 square metres, or about 5.5 million square feet. The prospect has already drawn interest from large construction and energy firms.
Community consultation closes in November
Community consultation on the project is expected to end by 11 November 2026, giving residents a last opportunity to respond before the scheme advances further.
Open questions
- Will the substation ultimately reach the 3.2 GW capacity cited by local figures?
- How will feedback from the community consultation shape the project before it closes?