A train-sized tunnel is now carrying electricity under South London
14 hours ago
- #electricity
- #infrastructure
- #London
- A new deep-level tunnel in South London is now operational, carrying electricity.
- The tunnel is part of the £1 billion London Power Tunnels 2 (LPT2) project, spanning 32.5km.
- It replaces aging cables from the 1960s, with a second circuit to go live soon.
- The project includes three sections: Wimbledon-New Cross, New Cross-Hurst, and Hurst-Crayford.
- Electricity demand in the UK has been declining since 2005 due to efficiency gains.
- Future demand may rise with EVs and heat pumps, but efficiency gains continue.
- Infrastructure projects often face delays and budget overruns, but tunneling is the easier part.
- The power upgrade project was planned at least 25 years ago.
- Similar slow-moving infrastructure projects exist globally, like California High Speed Rail and Berlin Airport.