In April 2023, the National Grid launched The Great Grid Upgrade , the largest overhaul of the electricity network in generations. Under the plan, new infrastructure will be built to move more clean energy around the UK in a bid to reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and meet net-zero goals.

17 major infrastructure projects are underway to scale and update the Grid, spanning installation of new cables, pylons, and substations. It’s a complex upgrade, one that requires specialist materials to ensure the most effective transfer of ‘greener’ energy around the Grid.

PowerSand CBS (cement bound sand) is one of the specialist materials being relied upon to protect, bed, and infill some of the new high voltage and ultra-high voltage cables. Having supplied PowerSand CBS to a number of renewable energy projects, we understand the importance of getting the specification right - and why PowerSand CBS is integral to the growth of renewable energy storage and supply in the UK.

The Great Grid Upgrade

The main aim of The Great Grid Upgrade is to supply a larger and more secure amount of cleaner energy. To do this, energy needs to be carried from where it’s generated to where it’s needed - for instance, from wind turbines in the North Sea to cities and homes across Scotland, England, and Wales. New electrical infrastructure is needed to connect the increased supply from renewable sources to the Grid, while enhancing the security of a more self-sufficient energy supply.

Meeting the growing demand for electricity

Given that demand for energy is projected to double by 2025 , the ability to produce and protect our own reliable electricity supply is vital. Currently, the Grid doesn’t have the capacity to successfully transport the increased volume of energy the UK is set to produce to power its homes, villages, and cities.

The Grid’s continuous investment into the UK’s energy transition will ensure greater amounts of clean energy are distributed to UK homes effectively. Between 2025 and 2029, projects that support the UK’s net zero and power decarbonisation targets will receive a share of £30bn. The funds will contribute to the new and/or upgraded infrastructure (cables, pylons, substations, etc) needed to transfer this cleaner energy around the network.

Renewable energy infrastructure in the UK

With investment high, it’s a positive outlook for the renewables sector. As it stands, green energy infrastructure is on track to reach the government’s 2035 target: for all electricity to come from 100% zero-carbon generation sources. It’s a target achieved for the first time in the UK in 2019, with renewable infrastructure making considerable progress in recent years.

Timeline of how renewable energy has been rolled out in the UK between 1991 and 2023.

Why renewable energy infrastructure needs PowerSand CBS

With infrastructure itself changing, the materials, methods, and overall ‘big’ picture of upgrading the network are shifting, too. The underground electricity cables that will transmit the energy from these renewable sources to power our lives generate a significant amount of heat. HV and UHV cables need protecting, bedding, and infilling with specialist materials (e.g. PowerSand, PowerSand CBS, PowerSand CBS Extra, and PowerCrete) to prevent overheating - an issue which brings risks and problems of its own.

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PowerSand CBS Extra technical data sheet 338.79 KB PowerSand CBS technical data sheet 340 KB
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PowerSand CBS

Two of the popular materials used across energy projects are PowerSand CBS and PowerSand CBS Extra, cement bound sands from Heidelberg Materials. This specialised backfill material for power cable installations has low thermal resistance. As a result, heat gets conducted away from the cables and the risk of overheating is reduced. This allows for the maximum permissible conductor temperature to be achieved throughout the year, so transfer of electricity is as efficient as possible year-round.

Why green energy projects need effective electrical transfer

The more effectively energy can be transferred away from the source and to the intended destination, the better. For instance, from solar and wind farms to a major battery storage facility, like the Uskmouth Substation project in Wales.

A 230MW battery energy storage system (BESS) is being constructed on the site of a former coal-fired power station to store surplus energy from solar and wind farms. The project is helping to balance the Grid and support a more resilient, low-carbon energy network. Between March and May 2025, we supplied 1,000m³ of PowerSand CBS Extra to Uskmouth Substation to enhance the performance of HV cable bedding at the project.

Case study: Uskmouth Substation

The significance of using specialist stabilised sand in energy projects

Many cable installations require a compacted or hardened fill, like the Uskmouth Substation project. If coarse aggregates are used, there’s an increased risk of damage to the embedded components, which wouldn’t make for an effective installation (or remediation) process.

PowerSand CBS is engineered to absorb and distribute mechanical loads (like heavy traffic or soil pressure) better than loose aggregates or plain sand, offering better protection. Additionally, unlike plain sand or aggregate, which can shift over time, PowerSand CBS provides a more stable bedding layer, minimising movement that could cause wear or strain on cables and pipes.

How cement bound sand increases efficiency of energy transfer

Unlike general sands, cement bound sand is specifically designed to protect energy infrastructure and storage for more effective transmission. Our two CBS products, PowerSand CBS and PowerSand CBS Extra, have been specially designed to reduce energy loss in the network alongside the cost of installation.

Properties of PowerSand CBS that enables more efficient energy transfer include:

  • Superior compaction
  • Safe, efficient cable installation
  • Ready to use and easy to deliver

View our cement bound sand page for full details on our Power range. You can also read about the impact of the products by viewing our case studies:

Case study: Uskmouth Substation

Case study: Inch Cape Wind Farm Landfall

The future of energy storage and infrastructure in the UK

The Great Grid Upgrade is just one of the pieces of the green energy puzzle in the UK. Specialist sands are one part of a large-scale operation to ensure this and other continuous investments in energy are as efficient and impactful as possible.

At Heidelberg Materials, we’re incredibly proud of the role we’ve already played in some of the most well-known projects connecting greener energy sources to the Grid. We’re looking forward to continuing to deliver the materials and expertise needed to support a more sustainable energy future.

Learn more about PowerSand CBS and other products in the Power range by downloading our brochure. You can also find out how we can support your clean energy project by contacting our team.