More than 160,000 homes and businesses across Wirral will benefit from a more resilient energy supply to support the uptake of green technology thanks to a major £21million investment in our network.
We have completed the full replacement of our Birkenhead grid substation to upgrade the infrastructure, which was originally installed in the 1960s.
The project, which started in 2017, saw the complete modernisation of the substation and will ensure a safe, reliable and resilient electricity supply ready for green technology - like electric vehicles and heat pumps.
Mark Sobczak, 132kV General Manager for our Distribution Licence Area, said: “We’re committed to achieving Wirral’s Net Zero status by 2041, and this project represents another major milestone in this journey. This project improves network resilience for 162,000 homes and businesses in the area and ensures that Wirral is at the forefront of a cleaner, greener future.”
Previous upgrades to our network in the Birkenhead area include a £3 million project completed in October this year to replace overhead powerlines with modern underground cables, directly benefiting homes and businesses.
These upgrades will help to facilitate the increased demand placed on the network, ensuring all our customers receive a reliable, constant connection, while also supporting the transition to greener, low-carbon technologies.
Cllr Tony Jones, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee at Wirral Council, said: “This substantial investment, located in the heart of Birkenhead, marks a major step in the modernisation of our local community’s infrastructure.
"It will ensure that homes, families, and businesses across our region are reliably supplied with electricity, and will safeguard both our transition to newer, green technologies, and our ability to expand as a community coming into the future.”