Project Background
National Grid are implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) across all of their projects (from sub-station extensions to new overhead lines and cable routes). These are a key part of delivering The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the electricity transmission network across England and Wales in generations, specifically designed to deliver more clean energy. In line with National Grid’s Environmental Action Plan published in 2021, the company has committed to deliver net gain by at least 10% or greater in environmental value (including biodiversity).
Scope of services
RSK Wilding have been commissioned to provide a BNG Technical Advisor role to National Grid on a number of their major projects, initially for the Yorkshire Green scheme, and subsequently for the Bramford to Twinstead OHL and North London Reinforcement projects.
- For each project, conceptual designs for BNG were prepared that were submitted to the Planning Inspectorate/Local Planning Authority, as appropriate, to demonstrate how a 10% BNG would be achieved, through a combination of onsite and offsite measures. These were then taken forward through detailed design to ensure the project meets National Grid’s environmental commitments.
- The BNG Technical Advisor is National Grid’s principal point of contact for BNG for the project, and is ultimately responsible for the quality of the deliverables necessary to satisfy all planning requirements and ensure a minimum 10% BNG is achieved on the projects.
- Post-consent, the role involves identifying what is needed to turn BNG concepts into reality (e.g. preparing HMMPs, legal agreements, practical contracting requirements including any revisions, liaising with potential off-site unit providers, and obtaining forecast costs), and working with National Grid’s legal and lands teams to secure agreements for BNG delivery (i.e. Conservation Covenants, s106 agreements, as appropriate).
- The BNG Technical Advisors also ensure smooth integration of BNG into the projects’ wider ecological considerations and construction working practices, and are therefore also fulfilling a broader ecological oversight role on behalf of National Grid.
Impact
We are working with National Grid to ensure that a number of their major projects forming the Great Grid Upgrade are delivering a minimum 10% net gain in environmental value (including biodiversity). We are providing support in the form of a BNG Technical Advisor to maximise the biodiversity and broader environmental value of National Grid’s design to achieve their environmental commitments.