West London electricity capacity constraints
Through our work in the Infrastructure Coordination Service, in Summer 2022 we were made aware of electricity capacity restrictions being faced in three West London boroughs – Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow. In response to the issues raised, City Hall has been convening Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and National Grid (amongst others) to better understand the extent of the constraints faced and to set out potential solutions in the short-, medium- and long-terms. The Mayor first wrote to Government to express concern in July 2022, and City Hall continues to liaise with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and the regulator, Ofgem, on this issue.
We created this first document to set out the background to the issue, how it initially impacted developments in the West London area and solutions that have been pursued to resolve it. In total, we have now published four documents and you can read the latest here.
Update
In September 2023, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, issued a follow-up letter to National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) about electricity capacity constraints in West London. The letter emphasised the Mayor’s concerns about the impact on developments in the area. Resolving these issues is vital for London and meeting the Mayor’s objectives to deliver new homes and meet Net Zero targets. In response, the utilities committed to developing additional options that would unlock faster connections for developments in the area.
City Hall’s latest update document, published in March 2024, outlines the capacity constraints' current status, progress made against various solutions previously identified, and a new solution being introduced by SSEN, NGESO and NGET in response to the Mayor’s call for action. Also highlighted in this document is an overview of work led by City Hall in collaboration with affected boroughs, developers and Government to ensure coordinated action and that solutions developed are in Londoners' best interests.
City Hall is encouraged by the solutions being pursued by utilities providers, and believes they're a step in the right direction. All parties appreciate the original timelines for connecting West London were unacceptable, and have made resolving these challenges a priority.
Importantly, since the previous update document was published in Spring 2023, there has been an uptake of the initial 1MVA ramping solution. To date, 7,800 homes (of which 2,900 are affordable) have been unblocked through City Hall support and introduction of this solution. Overall, 12,600 homes in the affected West London boroughs have an electricity connection secured, while 3,900 homes are awaiting a connection.
The latest update document lays out how the utilities intend to provide connections for developments that still require a solution. This is especially important for schemes that require a larger electricity connection up front, including net-zero related projects like rapid EV charge points, as well as leisure centres, hospitals, and education facilities. Developers are encouraged to read the latest update document and engage with SSEN to learn how they can benefit from the new solutions.
City Hall is continuing to work closely with the affected boroughs and the utilities to enable the solutions being pursued to resolve the issue.
March 2024 GLA Update Document
June 2023 GLA Update Document
November 2022 GLA Update Document
August 2022 GLA Clarification Document
June 2022 GLA Background Document
September 2022 Utilities Letter to the Mayor
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