Murphy Joint Venture appointed to National Grid’s North West London Upgrade

HMJV (HOCHTIEF-MURPHY Joint Venture) is delighted to have been appointed as one of the enterprise partners on National Grid’s new North West London Upgrade scheme, which will strengthen the region’s electricity network and support future growth.

Spanning from Sundon substation in Bedfordshire to Elstree substation in Hertfordshire, and on to St John’s Wood substation in London, National Grid’s complex programme includes new and upgraded substations, new cables, and reinforcement of existing overhead lines.  

Together these works will increase network capacity and strengthen the resilience of electricity supplies across the region, as well as helping to keep energy bills down by reducing constraint costs.

The investment will also play a vital role in supporting economic growth across North West London as electricity demand rises, enabling new data centre connections while making sure homes, businesses and digital industries have the reliable power they need now and in the future.

The scheme adds to National Grid’s portfolio of ongoing work across the capital, which also includes London Power Tunnels 2 (LPT2) and the North London Reinforcement (NLR) scheme.

National Grid’s NWLU programme with be delivered by several enterprise partners and involves:

• upgrades to Sundon substation in Bedfordshire;
• reconductoring the 35km Sundon–Elstree overhead line route;
• extending the existing Elstree gas insulated switchgear (GIS) substation;
• construction of the new Letchmore Heath GIS substation adjacent to Elstree;
• installation of a new 400kV cable circuit in the existing Elstree–St John’s Wood tunnel;
• upgrades to the Elstree–St John’s Wood tunnel and headhouses;
• reinforcement of the existing St John’s Wood substation.

HMJV’s specific scope comprises installation of 60km of new cable and associated infrastructure,  as well as upgrades of existing systems within the existing Elstree–St John’s Wood tunnel. Stretching for 20km, the tunnel already carries the longest alternating current (AC) transmission cables on the England and Wales transmission network, and was originally designed and constructed in the early 2000s to accommodate an additional cable circuit if needed in future. The project will see the HMJV team deploying its award-winning Tunnel Auxiliaries Fit Out System (TAFOS), bringing innovative techniques for installation of the in-tunnel cable infrastructure.

Joe Senior, project director at National Grid, said:

“The North West London Upgrade is a nationally significant investment that will strengthen the electricity network, unlock new connections, support regional economic growth and help keep long term energy costs down for consumers.

“Working closely with our delivery partners and supply chain, we’re bringing together substations, cables and tunnels, and overhead line reinforcement in a single programme to deliver the infrastructure needed to power future homes, businesses and digital industries as electricity demand rises.”

Raj Kundan, HMJV project director, said:

“HMJV are proud to continue supporting National Grid in the delivery of critical national energy infrastructure, bringing our cutting-edge solutions and ‘One Team, One Spirit’ approach. Our team look forward to working in collaboration with National Grid and the enterprise partners to leave a positive legacy for all those connected with the scheme.”

This latest appointment continues the long-running success of the multi-award-winning HMJV, with the team having already delivered complex projects including Channel Tunnel Rail Link Contract 320 Thames Tunnels, Crossrail C310 Thames Tunnels and two packages on National Grid’s flagship £1bn LPT2 scheme.