National Grid creating a sustainable future for East Anglia

As part of these projects, National Grid is engaging in a number of initiatives for community groups and charities in the areas where it is proposing to work.

Kim Sibilla manages the delivery of these benefits, which include an active transport scheme and partnerships with local colleges and universities.

“I am responsible for ensuring that nobody is left behind in the energy transition,” she said. “The focus of my work is helping communities thrive through delivering initiatives that support them.”

Kim studied geography at the University of Leeds and was particularly concerned about the impact of climate change.

After completing summer work experience at National Grid, she applied for a permanent role, initially working in planning before moving to work with local communities.

“My experience in planning helps me understand the need for new transmission infrastructure in the UK and how important it is that communities see the benefits,” said Kim.

“These communities are playing a vital role by supporting the delivery of a national benefit and helping the UK reach net zero.

“At National Grid, we want to leave behind a lasting positive impact where we build our projects to help those areas thrive – and to support a sustainable future.”

Pedal power

At the end of December 2022, National Grid partnered with Norfolk County Council and Beryl – which runs a bike, e-bike and e-scooter share scheme in Norwich – to support the micromobility industry in the area and encourage active travel.

“When it comes to delivering community benefit, there is no one size fits all,” said Kim.

“Some community benefits are local in nature, helping to enhance the economy, society and environment. Others have a broader focus, relating to natural capital or by providing skills, employment and training opportunities.

“The Beryl bikes partnership is a great initiative supporting communities to travel sustainably and see their impact through carbon savings.”

Over the past year, more than 85,000 people have used the bikes, replacing half a million car or motorbike journeys.

Kim Sibilla, community benefits manager at National Grid (Image: National Grid)

Working with government

Kim is part of a team engaging with government and other stakeholders around community benefit policy.

“We are keen to see an ambitious community benefit framework published, which is essential to deliver a positive legacy for those areas hosting new transmission infrastructure,” said Kim.

“This needs to be flexible, ensuring developers can work together with local communities and stakeholders to deliver benefit schemes which are tailored to local need, while delivering broader socioeconomic and environmental enhancements.”

Warm Homes Fund

Funding provided by National Grid has been awarded to a number of charities working around the country to promote energy efficiency and health-related programmes in relation to fuel poverty.

Five thousand households in Essex and 7,500 households in East Suffolk received help and support to address various underlying factors of fuel poverty.

The National Energy Foundation (NEF) is one of the charities that received funding from National Grid. The charity’s Better Housing Better Health service provides vital support to residents, helping them to live in warmer, healthier homes while also reducing their energy bills.

Over the past year and a half, NEF has helped 148 households in Norfolk and Suffolk, and 1,075 households in Essex, offering tailored energy advice calls and referrals to installers for energy efficiency measures, as well as home visits.

“We know our job goes beyond building infrastructure,” said Kim. “That’s why we want to help communities where we can – and we work on supporting some worthy causes, which makes my job really rewarding.”

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/norwichtilbury