Andrew Dakers, chief executive of West London Business writes of Heathrow’s temporary closure and West London energy constraints:
“First of all, I would just like to acknowledge the impressive effort by Heathrow, National Grid and SSE engineers to get the grid and airport systems going again within 24hrs. And all our thanks to emergency services for the initial containment exercise.
“In the weeks ahead, there will be the time to reflect and learn, as the root cause becomes clearer, on how to create greater resilience for the future.
“There are now three investigations underway: London Fire Brigade (LFB); an internal review by Heathrow Airport; and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has instructed the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to conduct an investigation, working with the Regulator Ofgem, to report in six weeks.”
“But that something broke was not a huge surprise to those of us on the front line of trying to power up West London’s economy.”
“West London Business – with over 250+ member companies including Heathrow – has been shining a spotlight on energy network capacity constraints in the west of the capital since 2021.”
“It is well understood that three of our boroughs Ealing, Hillingdon – home to Heathrow – and Hounslow are at their grid capacity limits. This has been driven by the accelerated growth of data centres in the area during and post pandemic. It is now one of the largest data centre clusters on the planet. Forecasts by Arup show we need to triple the supply into West London over the next decade or so.
“So, whatever is revealed by the North Hyde transformer fire investigations it is vital that projects to upgrade the transmission network into West London and our low power grid are now accelerated.”
“Last Friday was a reminder of why West London claims title of ‘the world’s most connected place’. But if West London and our capital stops delivering there are national and global implications.”
National Grid business plan
“We have scrutinised the latest business plans of National Grid and SSE in recent months and unfortunately we do not yet have confidence that their plans are sound and are moving fast enough to catch up with West London’s supply needs.”
“At the moment, it is likely to take until around 2035 to deliver their West London grid upgrades– completely unacceptable. If this isn’t resolved it means slower growth, less housing and more unemployment for the next decade and beyond.”
“Efforts to date to address West London’s energy constraints are not moving fast enough. West London grid upgrades now need ministerial oversight and probably a ‘War Room’ that brings together key stakeholders to drive delivery of West London grid upgrades by 2030 not 2035.”
