Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is undertaking a £220,000 upgrade of Blandford Forum and Corfe Mullen's electricity infrastructure to boost network resilience to over 8,700 homes and businesses ahead of winter.
Over the next few weeks, SSEN will carry out the upgrade project in the Dorset market town and village, building resilience to the areas' power supplies by replacing poles and overhead lines to strengthen the network for years to come. The programme of works is due for completion by mid-October, ahead of the winter months when adverse weather has the potential to affect power supplies, and are part of SSEN's commitment to taking a "you said, we did" approach to investing in its vital infrastructure.
SSEN's Project Planner, John O'Reilly explains more about the upgrade and the benefits it will bring:
"The electricity infrastructure serving Blandford Forum and Corfe Mullen had been identified by SSEN for investment to ensure they have a robust power supply that will serve them now and into the future."
"Sections of the overhead network for the area were nearing the end of their working life and we were able to plan in this programme of works to refurbish them ahead of winter."
John added: "Our customers and their safety is always a priority at SSEN, so any residents who might be affected by minor Planned Service Interruptions - scheduled in relation to these works - have been informed in advance."
SSEN appreciates that customers may have greater concerns during this time in relation to planned and unplanned power outages, and has extended its Priority Services Register (PSR) to those who are categorised at 'high risk' and 'extremely high risk' of severe illness from coronavirus; making them eligible to sign up for additional support through the free, tailored service.
Customers are also eligible for SSEN's Priority Services Register if they:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have a disability
- Live with children under five
- Are blind or partially sighted
- Have a chronic illness
- Use medical equipment/aid reliant on electricity
- Are over 60
- Would benefit from PSR services for any other reason, even if temporarily
To find out more, please go to the Priority Services Register page on our website: www.ssen.co.uk/psr, where SSEN's multi-language PSR leaflets can also be accessed and downloaded.
In addition to providing a safe and reliable electricity network for local residents and business owners, SSEN is future-proofing its infrastructure to prepare for changing consumer demands. Electric vehicle (EV) ownership and the prevalence of other low-carbon technologies continue to grow across the area.
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) expects electricity demand to double by 2050 as more and more customers shift to EVs and heating. SSEN is working to understand the ambitions of the communities it serves, and to enable this transition. SSEN has published Accelerating a Green Recovery setting out ten measures for the Government to consider to ensure no communities are left behind in the transition to net-zero carbon emissions.