Western Power Distribution
Encyclopedia
Western Power Distribution is the trading identity of four electricity distribution
companies - WPD South West (operating in South West England
), WPD South Wales (operating in South Wales
) and WPD Midlands (operating in East and West Midlands). All of the companies act as the distribution network operator
for their respective regions, and are registered in Bristol
, England
. Western Power Distribution currently serves approximately 7.2 million customers over its combined distribution areas.
Western Power Distribution is a subsidiary of the American utility corporation PPL
.
for £565m and sold Welsh Water
and other interests, leaving the electricity distribution arm Infralec
which was renamed WPD South Wales.
Reservoir in Cardiff
, Wales
. WPD has stated that it will drain the reservoir if its plans are not approved.
Electricity distribution
File:Electricity grid simple- North America.svg|thumb|380px|right|Simplified diagram of AC electricity distribution from generation stations to consumers...
companies - WPD South West (operating in South West England
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
), WPD South Wales (operating in South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
) and WPD Midlands (operating in East and West Midlands). All of the companies act as the distribution network operator
Distribution Network Operator
Distribution network operators are companies licensed to distribute electricity in Great Britain by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets....
for their respective regions, and are registered in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Western Power Distribution currently serves approximately 7.2 million customers over its combined distribution areas.
Western Power Distribution is a subsidiary of the American utility corporation PPL
PPL (utility)
PPL, formerly known as PP&L or Pennsylvania Power and Light, is an energy company headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. It currently controls about 19,000 megawatts of electrical generating capacity in the United States, primarily in Pennsylvania and Montana, and delivers electricity to...
.
WPD South West
In 1999 WPD South West was formed from the demerger of the electricity distribution arm of SWEB.WPD South Wales
On 15 September 2000 PPL purchased HyderHyder (defunct company)
Hyder was a Welsh water, gas and electricity multi-utility and infrastructure company created in 1996. It broke up in 2001 following a financial crisis.-History:...
for £565m and sold Welsh Water
Welsh Water
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is a company which supplies drinking water and wastewater services to most of Wales and parts of western England.It is regulated under the Water Industry Act 1991.-History:...
and other interests, leaving the electricity distribution arm Infralec
Infralec
Infralec was the electricity distribution business owned by Hyder. Infralec was established in February 2000 to operate the electricity distribution network previously operated under the SWALEC brand before Swalec was sold to British Energy....
which was renamed WPD South Wales.
WPD Midlands
In April 2011 Central Networks (Distribution Network Operator for the East & West Midlands) was purchased by PPL and rebranded to Western Power Distribution.Controversy
WPD is currently embroiled in a controversy regarding its plans to build a housing development on the site of LlanishenLlanishen
Llanishen is a district in the north of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Llanishen is well-known as the home of the 'Tax Offices', the tallest buildings in north Cardiff and a landmark for miles around...
Reservoir in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. WPD has stated that it will drain the reservoir if its plans are not approved.