Forum Topic

Is there enough electricity for all the new builds in Acton?

"According to a report in the Financial Times, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has written to developers warning of a significant shortage of capacity in the electricity grid in west London. The situation is so serious that it could potentially lead to a decade long ban on new housing projects in the boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow.The warning suggests that efforts to upgrade capacity in Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon boroughs being undertaken by SSEN and the National Grid may take over ten years.The newspaper quotes the GLA as telling developers, “major new applicants to the distribution network ... including housing developments, commercial premises and industrial activities will have to wait several years to receive new electricity connections”."Meanwhile permission has apparently been granted to construct two huge towers and a smaller block on the same site as Moreton Towers, just opposite Morrisons. Is Ealing inviting more GPs to serve the population? Is it buying land for new parks for children to play in? Is it planning for the schools which will be needed for the children of tomorrow? I'm not sure!!https://pam.ealing.gov.uk/online-applications/PLAN/223203FULIf you can get this link to work -the Ealing website warns us that it's flaky - you can see the delights Acton is being offered. Can we citizens object? Let's try! We have 10 days before it's too late.

Michael Thompson ● 983d4 Comments

Nevertheless giving planning consent to data centres in Park Royal and very tall buildings in Acton can and must put extra stress on the national grid. Surely there has to be some responsible thinking by Ealing and by the GLA?

Maire Lowe ● 981d

We are lucky that neither Politicians or Councillors are responsible for ensuring the capacity of the grid. UK Power network are tasked with this job in Ealing. It will become abundantly clear to developers that they may not get connected to the current grid unless huge amounts of modernisation takes place on the infrastructure and I can't see that happening in the short-term. Lastly as we all go green... electric heating, electric cars this will only put further stress on our cables so they the electricity companies will have to restrict the supply of electricity until its all sorted. Something to think about when trying to make ends meet...

Nik Ozegovic ● 982d

Does Ealing say space on the national grid is not an issue for them? That's not what I hear. The GLA wrote to the three Boroughs most affected some weeks ago. I think we have to allow some time for them to consider what should happen next.

Maire Lowe ● 982d

Politicians don't care about tomorrow, most of the Borough of Ealing is classified as low density. When the grid and infrastructure came along it was set out accordingly. Now the issue is that most single dwelling properties use a single phase. Going forward the number of new properties built on the same footprint has increased dramatically so the developers require more phases,  thats your problem the existing cable infrastructure and substations can't and will not be able to run the electricity supply through them. As we go greener these properties will only use electricity heat will increase the loads and don't forget we are being told to change to electric cars. The current grid capacity across large parts of the Borough will definitely not cope. Ealing planners say this is not an issue for planning!!! God help us all.

Nik Ozegovic ● 983d