We're about to begin work on a major upgrade to Oxford’s electricity infrastructure next month, with the installation of new high-voltage underground cables along Grenoble Road in the southeast of the city.
These works, which will get underway on 4th August 2025, and will continue until early 2027, are being delivered by OCU Group on behalf of SSEN. This project forms part of a £200 million investment programme across Oxfordshire, which will strengthen the region’s electricity network, increase capacity, and support a decarbonised future for everyone.
Once completed, the new underground lines will unlock greater capacity to power new homes and commercial developments, electric vehicle charging, solar energy, and low-carbon heating. They will also provide more reliable and resilient electricity supplies for homes, schools, public services and businesses across the Oxford area.
The Grenoble Road project in detail
The cable route along Grenoble Road has been selected as the most direct and cost-efficient option, and work has been carefully scheduled to minimise disruption. Temporary two-way traffic lights will be used to maintain vehicle flow, with construction beginning during the school holidays when traffic volumes are lower. We're working closely with Oxfordshire County Council and other local projects to avoid unnecessary overlap and delay.
There will be no planned power supply interruptions during these works. Residents and businesses will be kept updated throughout via signs, pop-up events, door-to-door visits, and regular written communications.
The work will be carried out Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Additional measures are in place to maintain pedestrian access and accommodate blue light and refuse services, as well as for residents with specific access needs.
The new infrastructure supports three key priorities:
- Supporting and driving sustainable economic growth
Oxfordshire is one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions. This upgrade will help unlock the delivery of new homes, businesses and science-led developments – all of which will be powered by a more modern, even more reliable network.
- Decarbonising communities
By connecting more renewable energy, and enabling the electrification of transport and heating, this investment will help reduce carbon emissions and support a cleaner, greener future.
- Building greater security, resilience and capacity
Upgrading the network and further expanding capacity will make the local network even more reliable – helping to reduce outages while meeting rising energy demand from homes, public services, businesses, and innovation hubs.
Florence Hickling, SSEN’s Project Manager for the Grenoble Road scheme, said:
“After a period of careful and considered planning, work beginning on the delivery of this ambitious upgrade is an important milestone.
“We’ve designed this scheme to help future-proof the local network; with new, high-capacity infrastructure in the ground now, to ensure communities and businesses in Oxfordshire have the access to the network they need long into the future.
“We’ve organised these works to ensure Grenoble Road is kept open throughout, and I’d like to thank those who use this route for their patience and understanding while these works are carried out as safely and as quickly as possible.”
SSEN and OCU Group are also committed to delivering wider community benefits through employment opportunities, apprenticeships, volunteering and education outreach.