Electric London: Repowering the Grid

Delivering decarbonisation is almost entirely reliant on the electrification of the many functions of the city from transport to building heating and cooling. In this context, true decarbonisation through electrification necessitates that the power generated originates from renewable sources.

The shift towards electrifying London hinges entirely on an efficient energy grid. In recent times, insufficient capacity of critical energy infrastructure has become a significant limiter of development in London. Starting in 2022, thousands of homes in Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow have been stalled due to grid shortages, the result of a high concentration of data centres in West London.

To meet the Mayor’s 2030 carbon neutrality target, infrastructure must be redesigned to enable low carbon lifestyles, particularly by decarbonising buildings’ heating and cooling systems from fossil fuels to electrified systems. Yet, efforts to decarbonise through district heat networks and green innovations are slow to implement in current administrative structures.

Building on the findings of NLA’s upcoming research publication, ‘RePower London’, this NLA Breakfast Talk contemplates different scales to drive the decarbonisation of London’s infrastructure, exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by the energy transition.