Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is investing £1.3 million and undertaking a six-month long project to boost power supplies to over 16,000 homes and businesses in Poole by upgrading transformers serving the area.
The programme of works in Upper Parkstone got under way earlier this month and will run until mid-July. While the works themselves will go largely unnoticed, due to their location away from roads and residential areas, the benefits of them will felt by over 16,000 customers living and working in the local area, as their network is upgraded to boost power supplies, accommodating their changing demands and ultimately helping support Dorset's decarbonisation ambitions.
The improvement project centres around Upper Parkstone's rurally situated substation, where the two transformers that provide power to surrounding properties will be replaced with more modern and efficient transformer equipment. The enclosure for the transformers will also be replaced and upgraded, ensuring the local environment is projected and any noise is reduced to an absolute minimum.
Tim Eccleston, SSEN's Project Manager said:
"Poole is a thriving coastal town and SSEN is delighted to be able to make this substantial investment on the network that serves its Upper Parkstone area. This upgrade to the existing transformers will ensure that local homes and businesses will have a robust power supply to serve those who live and work here for many years to come.
"The area we are working in over the next six months is off the beaten track, minimising disruption to those living nearby. I would also like to reassure our customers that our engineers are adhering to strict Government guidelines on social distancing, so we can ensure the safety of both our colleagues and our customers."
No traffic management schemes are required and there are no Planned Service Interruptions (PSI) for the duration of these works.
SSEN is working to strict Government guidelines on social distancing and the use of enhanced Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as it carries out this upgrade programme, with working guidelines including implementing a one person one van policy and thorough safety checks in advance of any work.
SSEN's investment in Upper Parkstone will ensure a power supply that suits the needs of residents now and in to the future by upgrading a critical section of Poole's electricity network to help local communities achieve their decarbonisation ambitions; so as more customers turn to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, they have a supply and infrastructure that's fit for purpose.