How London is powererd
13 April 2012
London receives all its power from high-voltage circuits from the National Grid. Each of these circuits carries 275,000 volts.
- A smaller power grid, operated by EDF Energy, converts this power into usable voltages and transports it to homes and businesses in the capital.
- 7,440km of overhead wires and 117,100km of underground cables are used to deliver power to London and the South-East.
- The power station at Lots Road, Chelsea (pictured), had been used to supply the entire Underground but was taken out of use 10 months ago.
- Experts believe the London blackout was caused by a single circuit serving three areas - Wimbledon, Hurst and New Cross - failing.
- The crash caused a knock-on effect throughout the London power network as systems required time to restart.
- Electricity shortages have led to the National Grid reducing its reserve supplies, which were previously held at about 28 per cent, to under 10 per cent.
- Several power stations around the UK have been mothballed due to falling electricity prices, with power companies saying they were not viable to operate.
