Western Power Distribution

Western Power Distribution is a trade name formerly used by four electricity distribution companies in the United Kingdom: WPD South West (operating in South West England), WPD South Wales (in South Wales) and WPD Midlands (two companies, in the East Midlands and West Midlands). Each company was the distribution network operator for its respective region. Western Power Distribution, which had headquarters in Bristol, served approximately 7.7 million customers in its combined distribution areas. In 2022 the company was absorbed into its new parent company, National Grid.

Eurocopter EC135P1 of Western Power Distribution, used for line inspections (2016)
This article is about the former electricity distributor in Britain. For the former electricity distributor in Australia, see Western Power Corporation.

Western Power Distribution
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryElectricity
Founded1999
HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom
Area served
Wales & South West, East Midlands & West Midlands
ProductsElectricity distribution
ServicesEnergy
ParentNational Grid
Websitewww.nationalgrid.co.uk

History

Formation

In 1998, WPD South West was formed from the demerger of the electricity distribution arm of SWEB.[1] In September 2000, the American energy company PPL Corporation purchased Hyder for £565m and sold Welsh Water and other interests, leaving the electricity distribution arm Infralec which was renamed WPD South Wales.[1][2] In April 2011, PPL purchased Central Networks (the distribution network operator for the East and West Midlands)[3] from E.ON for £3.5 billion and rebranded as Western Power Distribution.

2022 redress payment

In May 2022, WPD made a £14.9 million voluntary redress payment after an investigation by industry regulator Ofgem found shortfalls in the company's implementation of its obligations to vulnerable customers.[4]

Acquisition by National Grid

Western Power Distribution was a subsidiary of PPL for many years.[5] In August 2020, PPL announced an intention to sell WPD.[6] In March 2021, PPL announced a swap with National Grid in which it divested WPD and acquired Narragansett Electric of Rhode Island.[7] The acquisition was completed in June 2021,[8] and approved by the Competition and Markets Authority in September of that year.[9] In September 2022, the company was renamed to National Grid Electricity Distribution.[10]

References
  1. "Who owns whom in the UK electricity industry" (PDF). Catalyst Commercial. Electricity Association. 30 June 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2005 – via Internet Archive.
  2. "Hyder faces fresh battle". BBC News. 18 August 2000.
  3. "City briefs". The Telegraph. 20 February 2004. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  4. Grundy, Alice (4 May 2022). "WPD pays £14.9m for failing vulnerable customers". Current. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  5. Western Power Distribution, PPLWeb.com
  6. "WPD put up for sale by US owner PPL as it looks to reposition its portfolio". Current News. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  7. Armitage, Jim (18 March 2021). "National Grid to quit gas in major shift to green electricity". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  8. "Acquisition completion: Western Power Distribution - 11:06:23 14 Jun 2021 - NG". London Stock Exchange. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  9. John, Adam (2 September 2021). "CMA clears National Grid's acquisition of WPD". Utility Week. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  10. "National Grid Electricity Distribution plc". Companies House. Retrieved 26 September 2022.


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