West London electricity capacity constraints

City Hall’s latest update document, published in February 2025, outlines the capacity constraints' current status, progress made against various solutions previously identified, and a new solution being introduced by SSEN, NESO and NGET in response to the Mayor’s call for action. Also highlighted in this document is an overview of work led by City Hall in collaboration with affected boroughs, developers and Government to ensure coordinated action and that solutions developed are in Londoners' best interests. 

City Hall welcomes the significant progress since our last update document. From March 2024, 3,315 permitted new homes have been unlocked through SSEN’s electricity capacity allocation study. To date, stalled development sites comprising at least 11,690 permitted new homes have now been unlocked with City Hall support. This represents close to the full pipeline of stalled permitted housing in the affected area that City Hall is currently aware of. The solutions deployed continue to address capacity issues for residential and mixed-use schemes in the short term.  

The timelines for upgrades to the electricity transmission network serving West London remain unchanged, and these upgrades do remain necessary to resolve the long-term issue in the area. The need for distribution-level upgrades is regularly reviewed by SSEN, considering new connection requests and additional capacity released using flexibility and capacity allocation solutions. SSEN’s ability to release capacity in the interim, before physical upgrades to the network, means that many developments should continue to be able to connect using ramping solutions even before these upgrades are complete. 

Connection reform led by Government, Ofgem and NESO, continues at pace and City Hall welcomes the on-going initiatives to accelerate connections. City Hall remans engaged with all parties involved in the implementation of these proposed reforms, expected later this year, and their potential to help alleviate the capacity constraints faced in West London. 

Support for Developments 

City Hall is providing a new form via our website for affected developers to raise concerns and share information. This will allow us to continue to identify developments in the affected areas facing issues securing power, so that the City Hall can support work towards resolution. City Hall will continue to prioritise support to those schemes in receipt of affordable housing grant or that are strategic in nature and deliver on the mayor’s objectives for good growth. Any developers facing issues in the affected areas due to the capacity constraints should use this form to get in contact.  

Additionally, the GLA in partnership with SSEN, has prepared a short note for those considering development projects in the affected areas of West London. This provides useful suggestions and resources for development partners to consider when applying for an electricity connection from SSEN in the West London affected boroughs.  

Read the suggestions for developers note

City Hall is continuing to convene partners to progress medium- and long-term solutions that would resolve the existing capacity constraints, including for major energy users.