With 125 miles of electrical cables winding through tunnels buried 100 feet under London – this could be the largest construction project you have never heard of.
The London Power Tunnels, which opened this month, cost £1bn to build over seven years and will now supply 20 percent of the capital’s electricity needs.
They were given the royal seal of approval yesterday by the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, who visited Highbury substation in north London.
The London Power Tunnels, which opened this month, cost £1bn to build over seven years and will now supply 20 percent of the capital’s electricity needs. Pictured are cables running through one of the tunnels in an undated image
The London Power Tunnels will stretch 20 miles from Hackney to Willesden and Kensal Green to Wimbledon in the south, as this map shows
National Grid produced this graphic to show how the tunnels were constructed. During the building work, workers used electric cars above ground and bicycles in the tunnels below to reduce dangerous emissions
Donning a hard hat emblazoned with the words National Grid, and a bright orange high-visibility jacket, the Prince looked in good spirits.
On arrival, Charles descended 104-feet underground down 16 flights of steps – there is no lift – to learn more about the work.
When Charles was asked to pose for a picture he looked back at the cables disappearing into the distance and quipped ‘tunnel vision’.
Camilla, who cheered up a freezing London morning in a high-visibility red coat of her own, was shown around a substation above ground, where an access shaft allows for a view into the tunnels below.
The National Grid has recently flicked the switch to energise the high voltage electricity cables, which run through tunnels created by boring machines like this one, pictured in an undated image
Two workers on a metal platform descend into one of the 100-feet deep shafts, where a boring machine is cutting a new stretch of tunnel in this undated image
John Pettigrew, National Grid’s CEO, said: ‘These tunnels are a huge investment into London’s future, in fact the most significant investment in the capital’s electricity transmission system since the 1960s.’ Pic: Undated image of a tunnel shaft
The Duchess of Cornwall has a dislike of confined spaces. Asked whether she had been tempted to joint her husband, the 70-year-old duchess laughed and said: ‘No I was not!’
But she did cautiously take a peek down the shaft and wave to her husband.
The tunnels were given the royal seal of approval yesterday by the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, who visited Highbury substation in north London
To launch the project the couple both pressed a button as the song I’ve Got The Power by Snap blared out from speakers. They then inspected a plaque that commemorated the event.
The National Grid project is the most significant addition to London’s electricity system since the 1960s.
The tunnels, run from Hackney in the east to Willesden in the west, and from Kensal Green to Wimbledon in the south.
During construction, workers used electric cars above ground and bicycles in the tunnels below to reduce dangerous emissions.
John Pettigrew, National Grid’s Chief Executive said: ‘We are delighted to have been able to show The Prince of Wales how this £1bn project has enabled us to rewire London to make sure the capital and those living in it have the electricity they need to rise to the challenges of the 21st century.’
In a speech at the launch event, Mr Pettigrew told invited guests: ‘These tunnels are a huge investment into London’s future, in fact the most significant investment in the capital’s electricity transmission system since the 1960s.
‘For decades to come these tunnels will support London’s growth and its ambition (to) transport power that millions of people rely on in their day to day lives as they work, live and travel in this great city.’
Greg Clark, Business and Energy Secretary added: ‘The £1 billion London Power Tunnels is exactly the type of investment and innovative infrastructure project that the Government wants to encourage through our modern Industrial Strategy.
‘This important infrastructure will help increase productivity by cutting the number of road works needed for maintenance, as well as powering London with the safe and reliable electricity supplies it needs for the future.’
The Duchess of Cornwall (left) has a dislike of confined spaces. Asked whether she had been tempted to joint her husband,(left) down one of the tunnels, the 70-year-old duchess laughed and said: ‘No I was not!’
To launch the project the couple both pressed a button as the song I’ve Got The Power by Snap blared out from speakers. They then inspected a plaque that commemorated the event
Donning a hard hat emblazoned with the words National Grid, and a bright orange high-visibility jacket, the Prince looked in good spirits