Tuesday 11 August 2020

Electricity North West to invest £25m to enable region’s journey towards net zero

Electricity North West is investing £25 million over the next three years to create new network capacity.

The organisation, which operates the electricity network across much of the northwest of England, suggests this is necessary so the region can decarbonise its economy, including the difficult-to-decarbonise heat and transport sectors.

The new infrastructure will ensure those living and working in the region continue to receive a reliable supply as power demand soars and rate of electric vehicle (EV) ownership continues upwards.

The money will be spread across eight projects, which will include a £7.5 million scheme to create new capacity between Preston and Blackburn to accelerate the progress being made at the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone, which is expected to become a site of rapidly growing demand.

Other projects involve £7 million being invested in new electricity infrastructure around Airport City.

Peter Emery, CEO of Electricity North West, said: “Through economic growth and the adoption of low carbon technologies, the demand for electricity is starting to rise and will gather pace rapidly in the years to come.

“The investments we’re making in places like Manchester right now are to ensure the network has enough capacity for the first steps of that transformation, and will guarantee that the major new facilities already being built will have all the power they need to drive growth.

“Not only will that help us remain one of the most reliable networks in the UK, but it will also pave the way for the region to move towards becoming a cleaner, greener place to live.”