National Grid has moved forward with its massive plan to rewire the capital. They officially signed a contract for the second phase of the London Power Tunnels (LPT2). The job went to a joint venture. It is a 50-50 split between construction giants Hochtief and Murphy.
This project represents a critical upgrade for the city’s energy infrastructure. It ensures that London can handle the growing demand for electricity in the coming decades.
Digging Deep Under London
The scope of LPT2 is enormous. The plan involves boring 32.5 km of tunnels deep beneath the city streets. The route stretches from Wimbledon in the south west all the way to Crayford in the south east.
It is a technically demanding path. The tunnels will have to cross under 15 train lines and two rivers. The depth of the construction varies significantly. While most of the network sits at approximately 30m deep, some sections range between 10m and 63m underground.
Building on Phase One
This project follows the success of the first phase, LPT1. That project kicked off in 2011 with a budget of £1 billion. It successfully delivered 30 km of tunnels across North London. The original route connected Hackney in the east to Willesden in the west, and also linked Kensal Green to Wimbledon.
The new phase continues this work in the south. The new cables will replace three existing circuits that currently run beneath the roads. This includes heavy-duty 400 kV transmission lines.
One of the biggest benefits for Londoners is the lack of disruption. Because the cables are housed in deep tunnels, there is no need to dig up the roads to replace or maintain them.
Experienced Partners
Nicola Shaw, executive director at National Grid, called the contract award a major milestone. She noted that it will help ensure the capital has secure, reliable access to electricity to meet future energy demands.
The contractors bring a wealth of experience to the table. Hochtief and Murphy have a strong joint track record. They previously worked together on major transport projects like the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and Crossrail.
Marcelino Fernández Verdes, chief executive of Hochtief, expressed his delight at the deal. He highlighted their long-standing expertise in tunneling works in London as a key asset for the city’s grid modernization.
Hochtief is also active elsewhere in the sector. In December 2018, another one of their joint ventures won a contract to build a 14 km power supply tunnel below Stockholm.
