As we've shown over previous weeks, our workers are continuing to deliver critical works to keep the power flowing and support the country in the response to the coronavirus crisis.
One such project is taking place in Hampshire, where SSEN is undertaking an £8.4 million programme of works to upgrade and future-proof the power supply for over 10,000 customers in Petersfield and Fernhurst.
These critical works, which were due to start in March, were given permission to restart at the end of May. Here, Project Manager Anthony Horne explains more about this vital development.
He said: "As a Project Manager for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), my role through the coronavirus pandemic has largely remained the same; enabling the planning the facilitation of major cable installation works.
"When the UK lockdown was announced in late March, SSEN was about to start the work on the Petersfield to Fernhurst Project - which had been six months in the planning - and were ready to complete another major project where we were investing over £7 million to upgrade power supplies between Ascot and Longcross. Both projects were quickly halted to comply with the government's requirements and to ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues.
"Even without the projects to fully manage, I've remained busy throughout the weeks since lockdown began; reorganising the works for when they can start again and catching up on all the accompanying administration tasks.
"Our engineers have now been able to return to Ascot with a smaller construction team, but hope to be able to accommodate a larger team as restrictions are lifted over time and we arrived on site at the Petersfield project in late May.
"It's important to note that while we continue to work hard to keep the power flowing and our projects running, we are very aware of the government guidelines; fully adhering to social distancing, enhanced hygiene and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and maintaining our one person one van policy, so our staff can stay two metres away from each other at all times.
"I'm proud to be part of the team that helps SSEN build a stronger network for its 3.1 million customers in central southern England and I'm proud of the way that we have been able to alter our working practices to keep our colleagues and customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic."
