An important milestone was reached this month, with the first flow of water from the newly-constructed Thames Gateway Desalination Plant in East London, on the North Bank of the river Thames. Commissioning is now well underway with fresh water due into supply in the next few months.

FSD and Anord were awarded the £9m contract to design, supply, install and commission the 415/690V MCC’s and associated cabling and Busducting, along with the 33kV and 11kV cabling associated with the HV/MV distribution system.

The plant, a joint venture between Interserve and Acciona Agua, is the first of its kind in the UK, removing salt from water in the tidal stretch of the Thames to supply up to 140 million litres of water a day to London during times of drought. It will be powered using energy from renewable sources.