A £3.2 million substation upgrade has seen a brand-new 132,000V transformer installed at Wimbledon in south London.
The 132,000V transformer will help ensure the continued reliability of power supplies for more than 250,000 residents, processing up to 90MV of energy.
A large-scale delivery operation saw the 102-tonne transformer arrive on the back of a lorry through residential areas of south London before manoeuvring into the substation site near AFC Wimbledon.
Once the transformer was on the site, it was guided into place and will be energised and connected to the grid in the summer. Its job is to step down the power from a high voltage to be safely supplied to local homes and businesses.
This upgrade will help cater for residents’ increasing use of electricity as people turn to low carbon technologies. Residents in the London Borough of Merton are forecast to increase ownership of electric vehicles by 42% this year compared to 2024 – with heat pumps increasing by 96%.
Tom Parminter, Programme Manager at UK Power Networks says, “This project and investment will contribute to future-proofing the local electricity network for more than 250,000 residents and businesses across South West London, while supporting the growing demand for low carbon technologies in the transition to net zero.
“UK Power Networks’ commitment to reinforcing and investing in the grid will benefit consumers with more reliable electricity and the successful delivery of these projects will result in a more secure network to meet future needs.”