MP visits Tilbury’s £4.2m power upgrade

Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price has seen behind the scenes of a £4.2m upgrade to a key electricity substation in Tilbury.

UK Power Networks is currently investing in resilience and capacity at the key power hub in Tilbury to future-proof the network.

Around 28,000 homes, communities and businesses in the local area will benefit from the electricity network upgrade, which involves the installation of two modern transformers to ensure reliable electricity supplies.

The new transformers, which reduce voltage to deliver electricity safely to other local substations and on to homes, have 50% more energy capacity than those they replaced.

Jackie says, “It was fantastic to see the investment in the local network, which will provide additional infrastructure to support the levelling up of our local area, whilst supporting the UK’s climate change ambitions.”

Richard Desborough, Project Manager at UK Power Networks, says, “This is a significant investment by UK Power Networks that will maintain reliable electricity supplies for the residents, businesses and communities we serve in and around the Thurrock area.

“This upgrade with two new transformers now in in place will meet future growth in demand and keep the power flowing for years to come and enables us to cater for the expansion of the Port of Tilbury and other industrial sites locally.

“The new transformers in Tilbury will increase capacity and should increase the resilience of the electricity network so it’s been an important project. It’s great to see the state-of-the-art equipment now energised and already working well.”

The new transformers are replacing equipment installed in the mid-1950s which was well maintained, but was nearing the end of its natural lifespan.