Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is inviting local community members to engagement events this month to discuss plans to reinforce and improve the electricity network that serves South Uist, Barra, Eriskay and Vatersay.
SSEN is committed to improving its customers' quality of supply by establishing a second 33 kilovolt (kV) electricity circuit from Drimore to Pollachar. The installation of this circuit will provide greater resilience, reducing the load on the existing line and providing another route to quickly re-connect customers in the event of a fault on the existing circuit.
These works will include the establishment and installation of a second transformer at Pollachar and the connection of a new 11kV circuit which has already been completed following amajor overhead line refurbishment project for South Uist and the island of Barra.
SSEN is planning to invest in the region of £4m to improve and reinforce the local distribution network, delivering on one of its Business Plan commitments to target its investment towards improving network reliability in the areas with the greatest potential impact and improvement for customers. Work is due to commence in Spring 2018 and is expected to complete by the end of the year.
Colin Pirie, Head of Region for the Highlands and Islands, said:
"Our proposed reinforcement will greatly improve the network reliability to the communities we serve and we are encouraging customers and interested stakeholders on the island to join our teams to discuss our investment plans."
"Our priority is to safely deliver a secure supply of electricity to our customers across the Highlands and Islands and this investment goes a long way to ensuring they have the power they need."
"As a responsible operator we want to proactively inform our customers of the planned works and work with them to help minimise and mitigate any possible disruption to their area, so early engagement has been vital for us to make sure the community is kept up to date with our plans from the outset."
Teams from SSEN are hosting events at Daliburgh Hall and Stoneybridge Hall later this month to present plans to the local community, discuss any concerns and also ensure customers are aware of SSEN's Priority Service Register for those most vulnerable in the community.
The events, which are open to all, will take place on:
Wednesday 27 September at Daliburgh Hall from 6pm - 8pm
Thursday 28 September at Stoneybridge Hall from 6pm - 8pm
Earlier this year, SSEN invested £730,000 to upgrade the electricity network on South Uist by replacing an existing transformer on the island that supplies power to the local community.