Editorial review
Reviewed by the Maplify Editorial Team. Editorial policy
UK Power Networks (via GLA public mapping) and Northern Powergrid Open Data
Electricity Networks & Substation Map UK
Find publicly mapped electricity distribution substations, learn how major grid sites differ from local substations and compare published operator data on the Maplify map.
Verification
Find publicly mapped electricity distribution substations, learn how major grid sites differ from local substations and compare published operator data on the Maplify map.
How to Interpret the Map — Layer Key
UKPN London secondary substation
Public GLA-hosted UKPN asset point, currently limited to London. Click for the available transformer and utilisation attributes.
Point markerNorthern Powergrid primary, BSP and GSP
Primary and grid-level points across the Northern Powergrid operating region. Visible from zoom 8.
Point markerNorthern Powergrid distribution substation
Local network distribution points; visible at zoom 13+. Missing or redacted records are not evidence of no assets.
Point markerWhat This Layer Shows
The Electricity Networks section currently has three working map overlays: UK Power Networks secondary substations in a public London map, Northern Powergrid primary / bulk supply / grid supply sites, and Northern Powergrid local distribution substations. The other UK electricity networks and their cables are not mapped by these three feeds.
Each point can expose the original public attributes such as name, site level, transformer kVA rating, primary voltage, firm MVA capacity at higher-voltage sites or a reported utilisation band, where available. Attribute availability depends on publisher and site.
Why It Matters for Your Site or Property
Electricity network information is useful for screening possible development, new housing demand, EV charging installations, battery projects, solar generation and industrial electrification before commissioning an operator capacity study.
Network proximity is not enough to establish a practical connection: circuit configuration, outages, reinforcement, queue commitments and commercial terms all affect feasibility.
Planning and Property Impact
Use published substation points to identify which operators to approach and what questions to ask when planning a site. Formal connection quotations and up-to-date network plans are essential for technical feasibility.
The overlays do not provide safe digging coordinates, legal easements, substation footprints or permissions for new power installations.
How to Interpret This Layer
- 1Open Maplify and choose Map layers > Electricity Networks.
- 2For London, enable UK Power Networks > UKPN Secondary Substations (London) and inspect the available site attributes.
- 3For Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East England, open Northern Powergrid > Primary & Grid Sites at zoom 8+ or Distribution Substations at zoom 13+.
- 4Hover over a point for the basic site name and click it to read the original attributes in Map Point Details.
- 5Follow the linked source records or contact the network operator when a real connection or capacity decision is required.
Official Data Source
Publisher
UK Power Networks (via GLA public mapping) and Northern Powergrid Open Data
Coverage
UKPN secondary substations: London public dataset only. Northern Powergrid: North East England, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Not national GB coverage.
Licence
Per source: GLA-hosted UKPN data with CC BY 4.0 attribution; Northern Powergrid Open Data Licence v1.0
Official source
https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/our-company/open-data-portal
Data Freshness
Planned refresh frequency
Maplify queries published APIs on demand; operator revisions and public service update dates vary
Important Limitations
- There is no national comprehensive coverage here. UKPN wider first-party portal records require free registration and are not anonymously retrievable from its API.
- Northern Powergrid distribution data may omit customer information for sites with very few customers; dense map viewports are subject to a 1,000-record display cap.
- Firm capacity and transformer ratings are published characteristics, not guaranteed spare connection capacity.
- Map points are screening information only. Never rely on them as electrical engineering records, asset plans, easements or excavation guidance.
Common Use Cases
Energy and grid consultants
Identify major and local distribution points to help scope a current operator enquiry.
Developers
Screen potential electricity-network implications for housing, commercial property and renewables.
EV and heat planners
Explore general local network infrastructure around candidate sites.
Related Layers
This layer is commonly checked alongside these related layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I view substations on a free UK electricity network map?
Yes, where publishers provide usable public data. The current Maplify electricity overlays cover a UKPN London subset and the Northern Powergrid region, not all Britain.
Does a nearby substation mean enough spare grid capacity?
No. Capacity available to a new project depends on the operator’s present network, committed demand and other factors; seek a connection assessment.
What is the difference between distribution, primary, BSP and GSP sites?
Distribution substations typically serve local low-voltage customers. Primary, Bulk Supply and Grid Supply points are progressively higher-level nodes in the electricity network.
Does UKPN have an open API?
UKPN offers an open data portal, but users currently need free registration to access its data tables and create API keys. Maplify uses a public GLA-hosted London map for its immediate UKPN overlay.
Check Electricity Networks & Substation Map UK on Maplify
Open the map, generate a site report or save your search to come back to it later.
References and Methodology
Professional disclaimer
Maplify is a screening and due-diligence tool. This layer does not constitute professional advice, a planning decision, or a legal determination of any kind. Always verify critical matters with the relevant local planning authority, the data provider, or a qualified professional before relying on this information for a transaction, planning application, or development decision.