Over the last three years, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has invested in excess of £10 million to boost the resilience of Portsmouth's electricity infrastructure.
Four key projects, which are now all nearing completion, make up a package of works across its high voltage network that will strengthen the power supply to the area's homes and businesses and help to future-proof the network for any planned property development.
The improvement programme has included the replacement of transformers, switchgears and cables across Portsmouth, with additional network reinforcement carried out at Fort Widley to help bring a stronger and more robust power supply to customers across Portsmouth.
Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North visited Fort Widley Substation with Distribution Operations Director for SSEN's south region, Stuart Hogarth, to discuss the importance of the projects that will support a reduction in power cuts to her constituents. Stuart said:
"We have undertaken a significant investment programme of works to build a stronger electricity network for those who live and work in Portsmouth."
"We are committed to do all we can to keep the lights on for our customers 24/7, and this upgrade project, which has already seen over £10 million invested, is a massive boost to the reliability and robustness of the network for our customers in Portsmouth."
"We're delighted to be nearing completion of these projects - on time and on budget - and I'd like to thank our customers for their patience while we've worked to provide a greater resilience of electrical supply in their area."
Ms Mordaunt added: "My visit to Fort Widley Substation has let me see first-hand how SSEN's investment in Portsmouth is benefiting my constituents in their homes and businesses, by building a stronger, more resilient network."
"Portsmouth is thriving and the electricity infrastructure that serves it will enable it to grow and develop further in the coming years."
SSEN's three-year programme of works is set to be completed by summer 2019.