The project will provide electricity to 270,000 homes and businesses.
The multi-year initiative will focus on key areas including Oxford, Headington, and Yarnton. Working alongside OCU Group, SSEN intends to enhance the network’s capacity and durability, ensuring it can accommodate rising demand while supporting the shift toward cleaner energy sources. The improvements will provide a more dependable and flexible electricity supply to around 270,000 homes and businesses in the region.
This effort aligns with Oxfordshire’s long-term growth plans, which include building 100,000 new homes and generating 86,500 jobs by 2031. SSEN emphasized that the upgrades will primarily take place within existing substation locations, reducing any potential disturbance to nearby residents. In areas requiring modernization or cable replacements, the company will take steps to limit disruptions during the work.
SSEN Oxfordshire project director Carl Pates highlighted the project’s significance, stating: “As our customers move away from fossil fuels and look to renewable electricity to power and heat their homes, cars, technology and workplaces, we need to make sure the electricity system has the capacity and resilience to support these ambitions.” He added: “Through this £200m investment, we’ll support these national, regional and local growth ambitions, and ensure that the power our customers need now and in the future is in the right place at the right time.” Pates also assured: “This project will have a positive impact on the local area, and it will be carried out considerately, so the works themselves have as little impact as possible on neighbouring communities.”
The Oxfordshire upgrade follows SSEN Transmission’s earlier commitment in December 2024 to invest £22bn in grid infrastructure between 2026 and 2031. The latest investment reflects a broader effort to modernize energy systems, enabling the region to adapt to changing consumption patterns and sustainability goals. By reinforcing the network, SSEN aims to deliver reliable power while facilitating Oxfordshire’s economic and environmental progress in the coming years.
