UK Electricity Network Map: Substations, Grid Capacity & Free Data

An electricity network map shows selected distribution infrastructure such as primary substations, distribution substations and grid supply points. For developers, solar and battery promoters, EV chargepoint operators, surveyors and property researchers, it can help identify the network setting of a potential project. But the most important distinction is this: the location of a substation does not tell you how much power is available for a new connection.

Maplify now includes public substation datasets from UK Power Networks (UKPN) and Northern Powergrid. These appear within a dedicated Electricity Networks section on the map. This guide explains exactly what is mapped, which areas are covered, how to read transformer and capacity fields, and how to use the data for sensible early-stage site screening.

What Does Maplify's Electricity Network Map Show?

There are three independently selectable point overlays, each with its own geographic coverage and guide:

• UK Power Networks Secondary Substations (London): public mapped UKPN secondary substations served through Greater London Authority GIS. Some points include voltage, transformer and utilisation-related attributes.
• Northern Powergrid Primary & Grid Sites: operator-published Primary substations, Bulk Supply Points (BSP) and Grid Supply Points (GSP), including available site-level, voltage and firm capacity attributes.
• Northern Powergrid Distribution Substations: many local distribution sites, with published transformer rating, site type and other information where present.

Maplify's location markers are source features, not verified engineering drawings. They do not show every cable, switchgear compartment, network circuit, wayleave or available connection point. The other British electricity distribution network operators are not represented in these three feeds.

How to View UK Power Networks Substations in London

UK Power Networks operates electricity distribution infrastructure across London, the South East and East England. Its open data portal publishes many datasets but, at the time of this article, free registration is required for full data-table access and API key creation. Registration is free; it should not be confused with an anonymously accessible API.

Maplify therefore uses a separate Greater London Authority public map dataset to display UKPN secondary-substation points within London only. A map outside London showing no UKPN markers does not establish that UKPN assets are absent there.

1. Open the Maplify map and move to a London location.
2. Expand Electricity Networks → UK Power Networks.
3. Turn on UKPN Secondary Substations (London).
4. Hover over any visible point to identify the site; click for Map Point Details and the available published attributes.
5. Use the original UKPN portal, with free registration if required, when you need its wider regional data or an updated record.

In the public UKPN subset, reported transformer configuration, voltage or utilisation band should be read as a published network attribute. A low reported utilisation band is not necessarily uncommitted future headroom, and a high band does not prove that reinforcement is impossible. A binding view requires an operator assessment.

How to View Northern Powergrid Substations

Northern Powergrid's Substation Sites List is a publicly viewable dataset, published under the Northern Powergrid Open Data Licence. As of its July 2026 update it lists more than 57,000 sites across its Yorkshire and North East operating areas. The operator redacts some data for locations with very few customers.

Because local distribution sites are numerous, Maplify separates the network into two overlays. Primary & Grid Sites are visible from zoom level 8, while Distribution Substations load at zoom level 13 or closer. The map limits dense views to 1,000 points and tells you to zoom in if the display may be incomplete.

1. Search for a location in Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire or North East England.
2. Under Electricity Networks → Northern Powergrid, choose Primary & Grid Sites to see major network nodes.
3. Zoom closer and enable Distribution Substations to see local mapped assets.
4. Select a marker to see the original station name, site level, voltages, transformer-related values and other published fields.
5. Record the provider identifier and seek a formal network study before making a connection assumption.

Primary, Distribution, BSP and GSP Substations Explained

Distribution Substations

A local distribution substation typically transforms power from medium-voltage distribution circuits to a lower voltage used by nearby buildings. It may be ground-mounted or pole-mounted. Published transformer rating in kVA describes installed plant rating, not the remaining power available to a particular development.

Primary Substations

Primary substations connect higher-voltage parts of the distribution network to lower-voltage circuits serving a wider area. Their network role is different from that of an individual street-level distribution transformer. On Maplify they are shown alongside the next two major site levels.

Bulk Supply Points and Grid Supply Points

A Bulk Supply Point (BSP) and a Grid Supply Point (GSP) represent higher-level network interconnections and supply transformations, not simply larger versions of a domestic distribution substation. Northern Powergrid includes these terms in its own site_level field. The technical capabilities of a particular point need operator verification.

How to Read Network Capacity and Transformer Data

Electricity mapping can expose fields such as primary voltage (kV), secondary voltage (kV), transformer rating (kVA), firm capacity (MVA), maximum demand, and upstream-substation names. These units and measurements answer different questions:

• Voltage (kV): the electrical potential of a network level; it does not describe an amount of spare capacity.
• Transformer rating (kVA): the nominal apparent-power rating of equipment. It is not the new load that the operator can accept at a site.
• Firm capacity (MVA): an operator-reported capacity characteristic for certain higher-voltage sites, subject to its definition and engineering assumptions.
• Maximum demand (kW): a measure of load over a relevant period, not automatically a current forecast or approved connection offer.
• Utilisation: a published comparison or band based on the operator's methodology; it may not account for every future committed connection or local circuit constraint.

A project that requires a large connection may face upstream constraints or network reinforcement even when the nearest substation looks large or has a favourable published statistic. Conversely, a point further away may be technically appropriate. Do not rank development sites solely by straight-line distance to a mapped substation.

Can You Use an Electricity Network Map for Solar or Battery Storage Site Selection?

Yes, as a first step. A free map can help a developer shortlist locations near known network assets and combine that context with Green Belt, agricultural land classification, flood risk, ecology, heritage and road access. These site factors can materially affect whether the concept deserves a paid feasibility exercise.

However, a grid connection enquiry must establish whether a technically viable connection exists, what voltage level is suitable, whether reinforcement is needed, how export or import capacity is treated and what queue or network constraints apply. A public substation point does not give a cost, availability date or queue position. For more context, read our solar farm site-selection and planning guide.

Checking EV Charging and Commercial Electricity Demand

Rapid EV charging, electric heat, new housing and industrial electrical plant can create significant new local network demand. Maplify's substation mapping provides background context for finding network assets within an area, but the size and route of a service connection still require the operator's current demand assessment.

In a property appraisal, it is useful to record the relevant Distribution Network Operator, existing site demand, likely new demand, available site space for electrical equipment, construction access and any other local environmental or planning constraints. Network assets may be close geographically but still separated by a river, railway, protected site or costly connection route.

Does the Map Show Underground Cables, Power Lines or Legal Easements?

No, not comprehensively. The current electricity-network overlays are selected substation point datasets. They are not a complete national transmission or distribution cable map, and they do not establish which circuit feeds a property, statutory wayleaves, rights of access, underground service depth or safe excavation distances.

Obtain official plans and permissions from the appropriate asset owner and follow the Health and Safety Executive's HSG47 guidance on avoiding danger from underground services before any excavation. Never plan groundworks from community mapping or a general-purpose web map.

Why the Operator Regions Matter

The three Maplify layers are not a complete Britain-wide electricity atlas. UKPN's immediate publicly accessible London points are only a subset of its service territory. Northern Powergrid's open Substation Sites List covers its two licence areas. Scotland, Wales and other English electricity distribution territories are served by different operators with their own portals, interfaces and permitted use.

Where no asset appears in Maplify, the right conclusion may simply be that the corresponding network operator's data is not integrated, the viewport is too wide, the zoom level is insufficient, or the publisher has withheld certain information. It does not mean the site has no electrical infrastructure.

A Practical Electricity Network Site Screening Checklist

1. Locate the candidate site or parcel and determine which electricity network operator serves the region.
2. Enable the relevant UKPN or Northern Powergrid substation layer, if the property falls within its published geographic coverage.
3. Record mapped station locations and original provider attributes rather than relying solely on the displayed symbol.
4. Check whether a marker is a distribution transformer, primary substation, BSP or GSP before interpreting capacity figures.
5. Review planning, environmental constraints, flood exposure and access corridors around the potential connection route.
6. Contact the network operator about demand or generation requirements, studies, reinforcement and formal quotation.
7. Request verified apparatus plans and complete utility safety checks before any construction work.
8. Document data publication dates, missing regional coverage and connection uncertainty in the site feasibility report.

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Electricity Network Maps

Is there a free UK substation map?

Selected operators publish free geospatial data. Maplify currently offers public UKPN London secondary substation points and Northern Powergrid primary/grid and distribution sites; it does not claim nationwide coverage.

Does Maplify show available grid connection capacity?

It displays some provider-published capacity and transformer attributes where available. These do not establish new-connection headroom, a queue position, an offer or a technically viable connection.

Do I need a UK Power Networks API key?

UKPN's first-party portal currently requires a free account to access complete tables and generate API credentials. The immediately usable public Maplify UKPN layer is a GLA-hosted London dataset.

How often is Northern Powergrid substation data updated?

The operator's published Substation Sites List was modified in July 2026 and describes its update frequency as irregular. Maplify retrieves current records from the available provider API for the map viewport.

Why do local substations disappear when I zoom out?

The Northern Powergrid distribution layer deliberately starts at zoom 13 and caps large requests so it does not silently suggest a complete overview of thousands of local sites.

Can I use a map marker to locate a cable before excavation?

No. A public substation point is not a utility plans search or safe-digging service. Seek official plans, competent surveys and HSG47-compliant site practices.

Official Data Sources and Further Reading

The sources used for this guide are the UKPN Open Data Portal, GLA London Datastore secondary sites and the Northern Powergrid Substation Sites List. The Northern Powergrid dataset carries its own open-data licence. Formal connection terms and network access rules require the latest operator and regulatory documentation; for background see Ofgem's electricity network guidance.

Browse the electricity dataset guide · Maplify data source policy · Accuracy and limitations · Related guide: water industry mapping.