New grid site energised to power Ebbsfleet Garden City’s future

A new electricity grid site has been energised, providing essential new power infrastructure for the development of Ebbsfleet.

The completion of the main grid site, which will be supported by two main electrical substations required by the new development, paves the way to power up to 15,000 new homes, schools and businesses.

UK Power Networks’ new grid substation is a central part of an electrical engineering project that will deliver 77MW of power to Ebbsfleet residents, unlocking the potential for new neighbourhoods, new homes, jobs, schools and leisure facilities, and could also enable the connection of low carbon technologies as the UK progresses towards net zero.

Mark Adolphus, Director of Connections at UK Power Networks, says, “Energisation of this new grid site marks an important milestone to help unlock the future growth and development of this area over the coming years.

“We are delighted to be working closely with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to help them realise their vision to transform this area into a vibrant new sustainable community.”

The existing Northfleet east grid site has been reconfigured to enable two new 132,000v points of connection to the new Ebbsfleet Grid site. The new grid site involved installing two new 68-tonne transformers and a new 33,000v switch house and switchboard. Transformers play an essential role in delivering electricity by stepping down the voltage, to safely flow to homes and businesses.

Simon Dudley, Chair, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, says, “This is an important milestone for Ebbsfleet, as we see the completion of the first stage of our core electricity infrastructure to support the next phase of our ambitions. We expect 5,000 new homes in Ebbsfleet up to 2025 and important employment sites, which actively contributes to the government’s Levelling Up agenda and drive towards net zero carbon.”

UK Power Networks is delivering the project for Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, which was established by the government to accelerate delivery of thousands of new homes and create a 21st century ‘Garden City’, connected to London by the high-speed rail line in 17 minutes.

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation will invest £30 million in the provision of new electricity substations and connections to cater for up to 15,000 homes and a new major mixed-use development at Ebbsfleet Central that will be the urban heart of the community.