Work begins to connect Energy Superhub Oxford to National Grid

Work to install a high-powered underground cable that will deliver electricity to the UK’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Oxford’s Redbridge Park & Ride has begun.

The cable will help decarbonise transport across Oxford.

The works will install a four mile cable, which is an integral part of Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO), a government-backed project showcasing rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging, battery storage, low carbon heating and smart energy management technologies to cut carbon and improve air quality across Oxford.

The cable will connect National Grid’s Cowley substation to Redbridge Park & Ride, creating the power infrastructure needed to charge lots of electric vehicles quickly at once. The hub – which is expected to open in early 2022 – will provide Oxford residents and businesses with easy access to fast, reliable charging.

A connection point will also be installed at Oxford Bus Company’s Watlington Road depot, ready to support electrification of the city’s bus fleet.

From Cowley substation, the cable will travel up Watlington Road (B480) before joining the Eastern By-Pass where it will travel along the cycleway from Garsington Road roundabout to Long Lane.

It will then travel along the residential streets of Long Lane and Newman Road before re-joining the cycleway at the A4158. It will continue along the Eastern bypass via the cycleway to Redbridge Park and Ride.

Sales of EVs in Oxfordshire are already higher than the national average, and analysis carried out on behalf of Oxford City Council shows that to reach net zero by 2040, 25% of cars in Oxford need to be electric by 2025, 80% by 2030, and 100% by 2035.

ESO will create the EV charging infrastructure needed to give more people the confidence to make the switch.

Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, said: “I am delighted that we are about to start work to install the cable works for Energy Superhub Oxford. This cable work will help to deliver power to the UK’s largest electric vehicle superhub which we will be installing at Redbridge Park & Ride. This is a key milestone in this project, and the future of Oxford’s journey to becoming a net zero city.”

Tim Rose, programme manager for Energy Superhub Oxford at Pivot Power, said: “The start of the cable installation marks an important milestone for Energy Superhub Oxford as we work to deliver the low carbon infrastructure Oxford needs to accelerate net zero. With our partners, we are doing everything we can to complete these works as quickly as possible and minimise the impact they will have on the local community.”

Image: courtesy of GreenhousePR.co.uk

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