Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project
The Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project consists of onshore and offshore infrastructure associated with the transmission of electricity generated by either Morven North or Morven South to the national grid.
It includes underwater offshore and underground onshore electricity cables and a land substation.
The Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has directed that the offshore and onshore elements of the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project that are within England should be consented via a Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008.
For the section of the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project within Scottish waters, we will apply to the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate for a Marine Licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
2024
Consultation 1
2025
Consultation 2
EIA Scoping Opinions received from the Planning Inspectorate and MD-LOT March 2025
Evidence Plan Process initiated September 2025
July- August 2026 Evidence Plan Process meetings
6 October - 15 November 2026
Consultation period 3
Activity to date
We’ve held two rounds of non-statutory consultation on our proposals for the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project.
Between July and September 2024, we held a non-statutory consultation on broad corridors of search for where our offshore and onshore infrastructure within England could be located. We considered all feedback, undertook further technical studies and engaged with stakeholders to identify potential options for the offshore cable corridor, cable landfall, onshore cable corridor and land substation.
We then held a second round of non-statutory consultation on these options between October and November 2025. We are currently considering all feedback received and will continue engaging with stakeholders as we develop our proposals.
We are holding a further round of consultation from 6 October to 15 November before submitting our DCO application.
We have established an Evidence Plan Process with 12 organisations and 11 groups -one Steering Group and 10 Expert Working Groups. These groups meet to discuss and agree technical aspects relating to the Morven Hawthorn Pit Grid Connection Project’s Environmental Impact Assessment; Habitats Regulation Assessment and Marine Protected Area/ Marine Conservation Zone Assessment. Evidence Plan Process groups meet on ongoing basis at key milestones to ensure feedback can be incorporated prior to DCO application.
You can view and download our consultation documents from the 2024 and 2025 consultations in the information hub below.
Public Exhibitions 2026
Dates and times of our public exhibition events are as follows:
Friday 16 October 2026, 15:00 – 19:00 – Hawthorn Community Centre, Seaham, SR7 8SG
Saturday 17 October 2026, 10:00 – 15:00 – Seaham Scout Centre, Dow House, South Crescent, Seaham, SR7 7HD
Tuesday 3 November 2026, 15:00 – 19:00 – Robin Todd Community Centre, Front Street, South Hetton, DH6 2TH
Tuesday 10 November 2026, 15:00 – 19:00 – Glebe Centre, Durham Place, Murton, SR7 9BX
Resources
You can view and download a selection of materials that provide more information about Morven Hawthorn Pit grid connection.