A £225K project to upgrade the local electricity infrastructure around Ardersier and Cawdor is now under way, with teams from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) working to ensureits equipment continues to provide customers with the best possible service this winter and for many years to come.
The three-week schedule of works will see specialist teams from SSEN's Inverness depot working on both the overhead lines and underground cables along a route which takes inArdersier, Gollanfield, Flemington, Clephanton and Cawdor.
As well as installing new equipment on the overhead network and replacing sections of wooden poles along the route, the project involves the refurbishment of 15km of existing underground cable and the laying of over a kilometre of new cable. Teams from the Inverness Depot's Tree Cutting department will also be making sure that branches and vegetation are kept clear of the overhead lines.
All of this work will improve the resilience and reliability of supplies for around 200 customers, as Magnus Neill, SSEN's Project Manager, explains:
"We want to do everything we can to keep the power flowing for our customers all year round, and this project is all about making sure that our equipment is in the best possible condition, refurbishing existing parts of the network and replacing equipment which is approaching the end of its scheduled working life."
"Our work on the overhead lines also includes adding lightning protection, which will not only safeguard our equipment, it will also minimise the risk of power cuts for our customers during storms and bad weather."
"Our colleagues from the Tree Cutting team will also be busy, ensuring that any nearby trees and vegetation are kept well away from the lines and poles as, with the winters we have up here, storms and high winds bring the potential to blow trees over and we want to do all we can to make sure they don't end up on our lines and cause a power cut."
Work on the project began on Monday 5 October and is expected to be completed by 26 October.