National Grid plc : National Grid puts big load on the road to help keep the lights on

National Grid is advising motorists and residents that it will be moving an essential big piece of kit into place this weekend.

A 108 tonne supergrid transformer (SGT) is being delivered to Iver Substation in Slough Road, Iver, Buckinghamshire, this Sunday (January 29).

The transformer will be transported on a special 26 metre long trailer. The vehicle will leave Studley in Warwickshire at approximately 5am on Sunday. It will then travel on the M40 south, before leaving it at junction 1 and then travelling along the A40, A412 and then onto Slough Road, where it is expected at the substation between 9am and 10am on Sunday.

Project Engineer Ian Lammin said:  "This is a major delivery and we have planned the route and the timing of it very carefully. By moving the transformer on a Sunday when traffic is lighter any disruption should be minimised.

"We apologise for any inconvenience the delivery may cause."

Mr Lammin explained: "Supergrid transformers play a vital role in our substations. They lower the voltage of electricity so it can be safely fed into the local power networks which deliver the electricity supplies which homes, businesses and community facilities depend on."

Once the supergrid transformer has been delivered, it will take 42 days to assemble and install.

If you have any questions, please contact our community relations team on 0800 319 6185 or by emailing [e-mail]

End

Contact for media information only:

Antony Quarrell
National Grid Media Relations

07810 853075
[e-mail]

Out of hours duty press officer:
01926 653000

National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks.  The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century.  National Grid holds a vital position at the centre of the energy system and we 'join everything up'. 

In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.  In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.

National Grid in the UK:

• We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
• We own and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
• Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses
• We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
• National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).