Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2022 to Question 125503 on Prisons: Energy Supply, what is the total cost of works already started and fully committed to by (a) UK Power Networks and (b) other electrical supply contractors to install additional power to the (i) HMP Grendon and (ii) HMP Springhill site areas; and how much and what proportion of that existing cost is for use by (A) existing prisons and (B) planned prisons which do not have planning permission.

The total cost of necessary power upgrades has not been finalised. This is because the final cost is dependent on the route taken, which is subject to the relevant Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) securing the necessary consents and wayleaves and any stipulations made by the Local Authority in relation to works.

Works already started are to support a necessary uplift in energy capacity at the existing prison (HMP Springhill) only. The existing power demand at HMP Springhill is already currently over capacity, therefore that site requires a power upgrade irrespective of the proposed expansion. No works already started relate to the proposed new prison currently undergoing planning.

The total commitment to date to UK Power Networks for this upgrade is £840,000 (including VAT).