Trevor Gregory, Managing Director of ABB in the UK talks about how ABB is helping to ensure the security of the UK's electricity supply
> As winter approaches ensuring security of power supply to avoid the blackouts that hit London and Birmingham last year is uppermost in the minds of all those involved in the electricity supply industry.
> National Grid Transco is forecasting a safety cushion of available plant above peak winter demand of around 20 percent for winter 2004/5 based on a transmission contracted generation capacity of 67.2 gigawatts.
> This, coupled with investment in new power plants, growth in renewable energy generation — 1.6 gigawatts of new wind power by 2006 — and the development of distributed generation (CHP and biomass plants) should guard against supply problems not just this winter but in ten years time.
> The drive to increase renewable and distributed generation presents significant challenges to the transmission and distribution networks. Estimates suggest that the investment needed could be around £1bn.
> ABB is working with transmission and distribution network operators and regulatory bodies to ensure that this investment is made in an efficient and effective manner. Innovative proven transmission and distribution connection technologies such as FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) and HVDC Light pioneered by ABB enhance system stability and reliability and deliver a cost-effective return on investment.
> Our expertise is also called on to upgrade existing supply networks. As part of the EDF Energy Powerlink consortium, we are responsible for managing, maintaining, developing and financing London Undergrounds high-voltage power supply system.
> And, we are helping National Grid meet the ever-increasing demand for electricity in and around London. At 20km long and 3m in diameter, The London Connection is the largest tunnelling project that National Grid has ever undertaken. ABB is supplying the low maintenance, low loss 400kV cross linked polyethylene cable that will link an extended substation at Elstree to the new indoor high-voltage GIS substation built by ABB at St Johns Wood.
> Fundamental to ensuring security of supply is innovative proven technology backed up by tight project management to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget. ABB is committed to working in partnership with its customers to deliver a first class service from initial design concept through engineering, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.