UK Power Networks is approaching the completion of a £2 million flood barrier around a key electricity substation in West Ham.

The investment will help safeguard power supplies for thousands of homes and business across London in the event of the failure of the River Thames flood barrier, the firm said.

UK Power Networks is implementing the project in response to the official report into the 2007 summer floods and subsequent flood mapping exercises and site surveys.

The barrier will consist of a concrete wall inside the substation perimeter which can withstand flood water. Work started last year and is due to be finished by May.

John Nagle, senior project manager, said:

“The risk from flooding is something we take seriously and this project represents a significant investment in protecting our customers from its devastating effects. Protecting our electricity system is central to a quicker recovery from flooding because the loss of a major substation would hamper the recovery from a natural disaster.

“Thankfully, while the risks of the River Thames flooding are relatively small, due to the Thames flood barrier, this project will mitigate a known risk. With some forward planning and investment we aim to be better prepared in the future for unpredictable natural events.”

Flood and Coastal Risk Senior Team Leader at the Environment Agency, Eamonn Forde, said:

“We fully support anyone who can reduce the risk of flooding to an area. Based on current guidance levels the Thames Barrier, with some modification, could continue to provide protection to London through the rest of this century.”

The potential failure of the Thames flood defence measures is viewed as a 1-in-1,000 year flood event. However with hotter summers, warmer, wetter winters and the potential increased risk of flooding envisaged in the future, UK Power Networks is taking proportionate steps to address risks posed by flooding.

UK Power Networks keeps in regular contact with the Met Office and the Environment Agency to monitor weather conditions which may affect the electricity networks it operates. The company tracks severe weather systems so it can activate emergency plans when it faces weather or other conditions likely to cause damage to the electricity network.

The company also participates in emergency exercises to test its response to flooding, including test events using a mobile flood barrier which the company invested in. This can to be constructed at the point of need to protect essential electricity infrastructure from the effects of flooding.