From grape to grid - hundreds benefit from village power upgrade
A power upgrade in Biddenden is strengthening network reliability for over 1,500 households and supporting local businesses, including one of England’s oldest vineyards.
UK Power Networks has invested £70,000 to install overhead line technology for increased resilience and to double local energy capacity by replacing an overhead transformer.
Transformers step down voltage so that electricity can be safely supplied to homes and businesses. Specialist, highly-trained lines workers, called a ‘hot glove’ live line team, replaced the equipment on live electricity lines, without needing to interrupt power. High-voltage switches were also installed on the network to help speed up power restoration in the event of a power cut.
The network enhancements were planned alongside a connection upgrade for Biddenden Vineyards, which grow 12 different grape varieties and specialise in still wines. Engineers installed 170-metres of new underground cables for the vineyard’s new machinery and removed some existing overhead lines and poles.
Tom Barnes, general manager and third generation leader of the family business, said: “We are future proofing our business for the next 20 years, making sure we can keep up and grow the way we need to. The supply we had coming into the site was no longer enough for what we wanted to do.
“From a small business to a large corporate business, you would think it would be difficult to get to the right people, but it’s been the complete opposite. It has been a smooth process.
“We wanted the transformer changed when the ground was dry in the autumn and we needed the remaining work to happen in the winter, when it’s less busy. UK Power Networks accommodated our workflow and upgraded the network for people that live and work in the rural economy. I’m not just saying it, the whole team has been brilliant.”
UK Power Networks has invested £70,000 to install overhead line technology for increased resilience and to double local energy capacity by replacing an overhead transformer.
Transformers step down voltage so that electricity can be safely supplied to homes and businesses. Specialist, highly-trained lines workers, called a ‘hot glove’ live line team, replaced the equipment on live electricity lines, without needing to interrupt power. High-voltage switches were also installed on the network to help speed up power restoration in the event of a power cut.
The network enhancements were planned alongside a connection upgrade for Biddenden Vineyards, which grow 12 different grape varieties and specialise in still wines. Engineers installed 170-metres of new underground cables for the vineyard’s new machinery and removed some existing overhead lines and poles.
Tom Barnes, general manager and third generation leader of the family business, said: “We are future proofing our business for the next 20 years, making sure we can keep up and grow the way we need to. The supply we had coming into the site was no longer enough for what we wanted to do.
“From a small business to a large corporate business, you would think it would be difficult to get to the right people, but it’s been the complete opposite. It has been a smooth process.
“We wanted the transformer changed when the ground was dry in the autumn and we needed the remaining work to happen in the winter, when it’s less busy. UK Power Networks accommodated our workflow and upgraded the network for people that live and work in the rural economy. I’m not just saying it, the whole team has been brilliant.”
Gareth Emptage, field engineer at UK Power Networks, said: “It’s great to see local businesses flourishing and expanding, and a key part of that is for them to consider their need for extra power in future.
“As part of the work, we have also been able to strengthen the resilience of the electricity network for hundreds of homes and businesses for years to come, while enabling an established rural business to develop and thrive.”
In the final stage of the project, engineers will install equipment at a local substation to restore power supplies quicker in the event of a power cut.
Gareth Emptage, field engineer at UK Power Networks, said: “It’s great to see local businesses flourishing and expanding, and a key part of that is for them to consider their need for extra power in future.
“As part of the work, we have also been able to strengthen the resilience of the electricity network for hundreds of homes and businesses for years to come, while enabling an established rural business to develop and thrive.”
In the final stage of the project, engineers will install equipment at a local substation to restore power supplies quicker in the event of a power cut.
Watch a short video about the transformer replacement.
Published: 22/04/2026
Back to news
Watch a short video about the transformer replacement.
Published: 22/04/2026
Back to news