Agenda item

To receive an update from the Greater London Authority on the ongoing work to understand and mitigate electrical supply constraints in West London; and discuss and inform next steps.

The Board are asked to note that Molly Strauss (Head of Infrastructure, Greater London Authority) has been invited to attend for this item.

The Chair welcomed Molly Strauss (Head of Infrastructure Greater London Authority) to the meeting and invited her to introduce a report updating the Board on the work being undertaken to understand and mitigate electrical supply constraints across the West London region, being led through the GLA in collaboration with West London Alliance boroughs.

The report was accompanied by a presentation at the meeting, with the following key issues highlighted:

·             The background and context to the work being undertaken to address electricity capacity issues across the region, given the impact of a number of large scale developments on the electricity distribution network operated by local supply networks and the transmission network operated by National Grid.  Whilst the transmission network was currently scheduled for upgrade in 2037, the GLA had already facilitated a range of short and medium-term solutions to alleviate constraints so that housing and decarbonisation technologies (e.g. electric vehicle charge points) could secure connections in the interim.

·             As part of the approach identified, the Mayor had funded development of a subregional Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) in collaboration with West London Alliance (WLA) boroughs, working alongside two other boroughs and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).  The LAEPs were designed to translate Net Zero targets into on-the-ground action and provide a key input into the design of electricity network planning and investment processes across the areas covered.  The West London subregional LAEP had been the first rolled out in London and had led to the introduction of a number of other Mayoral funded subregional LAEPs across London (supported by London Councils).

·             The LAEPs had been developed to provide a whole system approach in seeking to join up energy sources and consumers, break down silos and connect physical requirements with policy, market and digital systems.  Boroughs were encouraged to adapt and take forward the key actions and outputs identified, based on the specific make up of their areas and supported by the GLA, including delivery of potential funding support through the Zero Carbon Accelerator (ZCA).

·             Key outputs identified as needing to be addressed through the West London subregional LAEP had included the ongoing anticipated increase in electricity demand being driven through housing, commercial and also data centre development across the region in addition to the roll out of low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and Electric Vehicle Charging points; the need to enhance performance in relation to the energy rating performance of domestic building stock including opportunities to retrofit and target new buildings through effective planning policy; the need to address electrical grid constraints; the need to consider the opportunities available to establish heat networks across the region based on areas of viable demand and also the need to consider the potential options to increase use of solar PV generation.

·             Following completion of the first phase of the West London subregional LAEP seven work packages had been identified to progress at subregional level.  These reflected key themes in terms of decarbonisation of major energy users; energy system flexibility and generation along with continued stakeholder engagement regarding electricity network reinforcement.

In terms of progress, the Board noted that in terms of the WLA, five boroughs had jointly secured ZCA funding to complete the LAEP process for their local geographies (Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hammersmith & Fulham) with Hounslow also undertaking work to complete their LAEP.  WLA boroughs had also pooled funding so that the GLA could take forward additional, targeted subregional priority work packages on the back of the subregional LAEP, focused on major drivers of decarbonisation.  WLA’s Climate & Net Zero Lead was working closely with the GLA on this, with oversight from the West London Climate, Environment and Net Zero Directors’ group.

From a WLA perspective, Majeed Neky took the opportunity to thank Molly Strauss and the GLA for the ongoing work being delivered in partnership with the WLA and its member boroughs to ensure the capacity issues and required infrastructure support continued to be progressed.

The Chair thanked Molly Strauss for the update provided and then sought comments and questions from the Board, with the following issues highlighted:

·             The Board expressed support for the approach identified, recognising the need to ensure the capacity issues continued to be addressed and that West London continued to lobby for capacity upgrades to be accelerated in order to avoid adverse impact on the ability to bring forward housing and regeneration development across the region and wider focus on activity in relation to decarbonisation.

·             Further details were sought on proposals identified in relation to the provision of potential “stretch” connections from other distribution areas to support data centre development, given their impact on the demand for electrical supply. In response, Molly Strauss advised whilst this type of provision (targeted on specific sites) would have the potential to relieve pressure on the local grid relating to those specific developments it would not be available to support supply to the surrounding area and would also be likely to involve substantial disruption to the adjoining road network during the construction phase as well as reducing capacity elsewhere on the grid.

·             Members were keen to ensure that any approach identified to address longer term issues included the need to co-ordinate and manage the impact of utilities work on local highways infrastructure.

·             In recognising the delivery of the short and medium-term solutions to alleviate constraints so that housing and decarbonisation technologies (e.g. electric vehicle charge points) could secure the necessary connections (involving the unblocking of 11,481 permitted housing units and wider ramping solutions) details were sought on the number of schemes likely to require capacity being unblocked over the coming years.  In response, Molly Strauss advised that whilst unable to provide specific numbers work remained ongoing with electricity companies to assess and manage demand in relation to available capacity and supply across their local electricity distribution networks to enable development schemes to progress.  This was also supported through ongoing engagement with Ofgem & Department for Energy Security and Net Zero regarding the need for connections reform.

Assurance was also provided regarding the continued support and commitment from the Mayor for London (working with the Government and the energy regulator) in taking action to ensure sufficient electrical capacity was available to support wider development objectives across London and within individual boroughs linked, to the GLA energy planning priorities, local plan priorities, the subregional LAEP and London’s net zero objectives.

As a final contribution, the Chair then invited Andrew Dakers (West London Business - WLB) to comment on the update.  Andrew Dakers highlighted the collaborative work being undertaken between WLB and WLA to raise the profile of these issues with Government, regulators and electricity supply companies.  It was also pointed out that WLB were keen to encourage engagement with consultation on development of the National Grid Plan and also Strategic Development Plans being produced by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) along with consideration of alternative sources of energy supply.  Support was also expressed for a more joined up and collaborative approach on the co-ordination of utility works given the impact that the associated disruption to the local highway network had on local business, including support for the “dig once” approach and multi utility corridor option.

As no further issues were raised, the Chair thanked Andrew Dakers and Board members for their comments and it was RESOLVED:

(1)        To note the progress in addressing the West London electricity capacity issues identified and in delivery of the sub regional Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) along with the outline of longer-term issues identified including the need to co-ordinate and manage the impact of utilities work on local highways infrastructure.

(2)                To continue supporting broughs to undertake the final steps in delivery of the West London sub regional LAEP across their own areas, utilising the support on offer from the GLA.