Performance Report 2004
Ambition 4: Safe and Responsible
Like most electricity distribution networks, a proportion of our networks consist of cables filled with oil, which acts as an insulant. These cables are steadily being replaced with modern alternatives, but many kilometres remain and have the potential to leak oil.
Our three electricity distribution networks have different proportions of fluid-filled cables.
Oil-filled cables | Total underground cables (km) | Oil-filled (%) |
Eastern network (EPN) | 57,424 | 10% |
London network (LPN) | 30,978 | 56% |
Southern network (SPN) | 49,938 | 18% |
We have lead the industry in our discussions with Ofgem on replacing oil-filled cables and in 2005 will introduce new cable leak detection technologies into the UK.
During 2004, we worked closely with the Environment Agency to develop a new cable leak reporting system and we assisted with the training of Agency staff to help them to appreciate how these cable systems work and to jointly look for better ways to respond to leakages that occur.
During 2004, overall oil leakages were reduced and the leakages per/km remained stable.