Investment to boost Battersea

Construction work for a new electricity substation in Battersea has moved on a stage after the delivery of two new transformers to site.

Transformers step down the power from the electricity grid, so it can be safely delivered to homes and businesses. The £42m project, which has been ongoing since 2016, forms part of a wider continued investment to ensure reliable power supplies and meet growing demand for power across London.

One of the greatest challenges for installing new electricity infrastructure across the capital is negotiating the installation of equipment in restricted spaces while maintaining safe and reliable electricity supplies. Engineers are managing this on the current project and the substation will support 16,000 new homes as well as the regeneration of the Nine Elms development area including Battersea Power Station.

James Belcher, senior project manager at UK Power Networks said, “Battersea Power Station is one of the capital’s most iconic buildings and its regeneration is key to the wider transformation of London’s Nine Elms development.

“UK Power Networks is working in partnership, with our alliance of contractors to support the substantial increase that will be required in capacity and capability to distribute power across this busy area.”

UK Power Networks keeps the lights on for more than eight million homes, schools, hospitals and businesses across London, the South East and East of England. The company invests more than £600 million annually in maintaining and improving electricity networks. The majority of London’s electricity infrastructure is underground, including over 36,000 kilometres of cabling.