I am pleased to share a new paper by Alan Whitehead CBE, my friend and predecessor. He is a longstanding champion for clean energy, and as an MP, he was most recently the Shadow Energy Minister in DESNZ. His paper, Energy Independence for Southampton, outlines both the challenges and exciting opportunities we have to secure clean, reliable energy for our city. You can read Alan’s full paper, Energy Independence for Southampton, below.
Alan highlights that Southampton is facing an energy emergency. Research from the University of Southampton shows that by 2026, the city’s electricity substations could reach full capacity, particularly around the docks and city centre; this demands urgent action.
Alan presents several solutions to this problem, including bringing a new high-voltage cable from the National Grid’s Nursling substation directly into the city centre. This would take the pressure off our existing substations, keep the port and new developments powered up, and make sure Southampton’s energy network is ready for the future.
Alan also sets out many opportunities to expand local renewable energy. These include upgrading the geothermal heat network, which I’m very excited to say is in the pipeline, and you can find more information here. Alan also recommends expanding solar and wind projects, exploring hydropower, and investigating tidal options on the River Itchen. These projects could significantly enhance our energy security and support local jobs and investment.
Earlier this summer, Alan and I co-hosted the first Southampton Energy Independence Summit at St Mary’s Stadium. We brought together Southampton City Council, the University of Southampton, Associated British Ports, SSEN, Utilita, and Star and Bring Energy, who are expanding the city’s geothermal network. We discussed how to make Southampton’s energy system fit for the future and will continue these conversations in the months ahead.
It is a really exciting time for the UK’s clean energy journey. This Labour Government’s Great British Energy is driving new infrastructure and supporting local and community energy projects. Worldwide renewable energy has recently overtaken coal as the biggest source of electricity for the first time.
I’m so pleased that Southampton is a part of this story, using these technologies to create growth, innovation, and high-quality jobs while securing our energy future. If you would like to get involved with this, please email me at satvir.kaur.mp@parliament.uk.