How to view power infrastructure

How to get the most from this powerful layer

Mark Stewart avatar
Written by Mark Stewart
Updated over a week ago

The Power infrastructure layer is available via two tabs.

  • The first tab provides Distributed Network Operator (DNO) substations, assess their capacity, and source sites in the right locations

  • The second tab provides National Grid towers, lines, and cables (substations coming soon)

You can access this using the power infrastructure layer dropdown, where this has been made available on your account.

DNO Substations

How can I tell if a substation has capacity?

Each substation is colour coded to show its RAG (red, amber, green) status, as supplied by the applicable DNO. This data is not always available from the DNO.

  • Red = low capacity

  • Amber = medium capacity

  • Green = high capacity

In particular, UK Power Networks and Electricity North West don’t provide a RAG status for each individual substation. If you want to find out capacity information for their substations you will need to contact them directly.

How can I find a specific substation?

While there’s no way to search by substation, what you can do is navigate to the area on the map where the substation you’re after is located, then use the filters (substation kV and RAG status) to find the one you’re after. Once you’ve got a list of potential options that meet your requirements, you can click onto each one for more information about it, to help you find the perfect site.

What do the different substation shapes mean?

There are four different shapes to represent four different types of substations. These are all shown in the legend on the bottom left of the screen (you can click on it to expand/minimise it as you need to).

How do I export data about a specific substation?

Exporting information is really easy – just click onto the substation you’re after the info for, then click the 'Export data (.csv)' button on the right-hand side of the screen. You’ll get all of the information the relevant DNO provides about the substation as a CSV file, to use however you need to.

Where does this data come from?

This data comes from each of the respective DNOs, and is updated on an irregular basis. We have data available in Scotland, Wales and England.

National Grid Towers, Lines and Cables

You can view this data, as supplied by National Grid, by using the Towers and Cables menu item.

What does this provide?

You can view data from the National Grid, selecting ownership parcels on the map to find out whether any of these are located on your current site.

  • It includes where the towers, lines and cables are located

  • Some contain information on their primary and secondary routes

  • Operating voltages in kV

This data comes as supplied from National Grid.

What do the tower types mean?

How can you use this data?

  • This data helps you understand where you might be constrained by power infrastructure being located on your site

  • or might provide a helpful nod as to whether your site is within reach of infrastructure provided by National Grid for power purposes

Where does this data come from?

Is is supplied by the National Grid, and is available for England. We check it quarterly for accuracy.

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