Winterbourne Abbas and Charminster businesses and residents are to benefit from a £153,000 investment by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to upgrade the power supplies in both villages.
The investment will boost the resilience of the power supply between Winterbourne Abbas and Charminster, strengthening the network now and for years to come for some 3,200 customers in the vicinity.
Already under way, the programme of works will future-proof the infrastructure between the two villages through the replacement of poles and associated equipment that have been identified by SSEN as suitable to help the network stand up to adverse weather, while also addressing the needs of those who live and work in the area as the UK moves towards its net-zero ambitions.
SSEN's Project Planner, John O'Reilly explains: "In total, SSEN is replacing 29 poles and over half of this work has already been completed. I'd like to thank all of those who live and work in the local area for their patience and understanding as we work to improve their network. The investment will boost the local network for many years, benefiting local residents and businesses."
John added: "The remaining works will be delivered into November and early next year to accommodate crops and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)."
As a considerate constructor, SSEN will undertake consultations with the appropriate government agencies, the local planning authority and other interested parties to ensure the ecological interest of the SSSI is preserved as part of these works.
As well as building a safe and reliable electricity network for Dorset and its towns and villages, SSEN is looking to the future for this region and what its needs will look like over the coming years as more people turn to using electric vehicles (EVs).
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) expect electricity demand to double by 2050 as more and more customers shift to electric vehicles (EV) 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 ensure no communities are left behind in the transition to net zero carbon emissions.
