Inside Electricity North West’s Strategic Investment Plan for Greater Manchester

Electricity North West is embarking on the largest ever investment in the North West’s power network, investing over £2bn between 2023 and 2028 – including a £32m programme of improvements for Greater Manchester.

As the transition to net zero accelerates and the region increases its digital infrastructure there is an increasing electricity demand, which means our region needs to invest in its future.

Electricity North West has developed a ‘strategic investment plan’ to deliver increased capacity to support economic growth and GMCA decarbonisation plans for heat and transport across Manchester.

By investing significantly in our region, Electricity North West can support Greater Manchester’s ambition to become a net-zero city-region by 2038 and accelerate our transition to clean power generation and storage.

It can also increase capacity for the electrification of heat networks, public transport and electric vehicle charging to reduce carbon emissions.

However, it can also help Greater Manchester remain competitive when it comes to economic growth and building a green economy. Increasing capacity for electricity can pave the way for data centres to support our digital ambitions and position us as a leader in AI and tech. Investment in clean energy and infrastructure will allow local people to develop the skills needed to forge careers in clean energy.

Electricity North West’s investment in Greater Manchester will include seven sites covering Salford, Cheetham Hill, West Didsbury, and the city centre to build more capacity in the next five years.

These projects include the reinforcement of existing substations:

• In Salford, £9.1m investment will create over 70MW of new capacity by 2028.
• Blackfriars in Cheetham Hill will see £2m investment to create an additional 4mw of capacity by 2028.
• The Northern Gateway site will see £4m investment, offering 20MW by 2025.
• Eastlands in the Northern Quarter £2.3m to deliver 20mw of capacity with the first phase already available and the next set to be completed this year.
• West Didsbury will have a £1.7m investment with 22MW available by 2028.

However, the investment will also cover the creation of new substations to increase capacity around Greater Manchester.

New substations at Southern Gateway and Mayfield will generate 23MW and an additional 32mw of capacity, respectively.

In total, this investment will create new capacity to support the equivalent of 150,000 homes and businesses. The work will require extensive underground cable work to connect customers to the new capacity, which aims to be completed by 2028.

Electricity North West is also working closely with Local Authorities across the region to support the development of Local Area Energy Plans and release network capacity.

All this is supporting a transition to greener energy and economic growth across Greater Manchester.

Electricity North West is also pioneering a Social DSO Model to put fairness back at the heart of the Energy Transition. By collaborating with communities and ensuring the network benefits communities, businesses and the wider economy.

Alongside ensuring infrastructure can support increased demand and technical requirements, Electricity North West is committed to delivering a smarter, more flexible and inclusive energy system for Greater Manchester that can have positive impacts and long-term savings.

From businesses to individuals, Electricity North West is striving to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to net zero. Steps they’re taking include investment in community energy projects as well as simple steps like providing access to EV chargers for those without off-street parking.

This aligns with Greater Manchester’s overarching ambition to deliver a fairer, greener, more prosperous city-region where everyone can live a good life.

To learn more about Electricity North West’s investment in Greater Manchester, you’ll be able to meet with their representatives on the Manchester Stand, The Canary.

Discover more about ENW’s investment in Greater Manchester up until 2028 here.