A £711,000 upgrade project by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to improve the strength and efficiency of power supplies to several villages across Dorset has been completed on time and to budget.
SSEN undertook the works to improve the local electricity network infrastructure around the area of Shroton, with villages including Child Okeford, Okeford Fitzpaine, Shillingstone and Sturminster Newton benefitting from the £711,000 investment.
Running from April to the end of June, the works saw a substantial upgrade to the area's overhead power lines and associated equipment. One hundred and seventy poles were replaced during the two-month project, along with associated equipment on the overhead network including transformers, low voltage conductors and circuit breakers,to build resilience into the network.
Network reliability is a key priority for SSEN and the customers it serves. Following a series of engagements with customers in Dorset, SSEN took the decision to make this investment in Shroton to improve network resilience, and future-proof its infrastructure for customer's changing demands.
SSEN's Project Planner, John O'Reilly said:
"We are delighted to have completed this upgrade to Shroton's network, providing a robust power supply to the village and neighbouring areas. While this resilient infrastructure brings reassurance to our rural customers ahead of winter, it also brings them a modern, efficient network that is ready to accommodate low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. This will be key in ensuring Dorset is able to transition to a net zero future.
"Working to strict safety guidelines, we have been able to complete these works without any interruption to power supplies and with minimal disruption to local residents."
He added:
"On behalf of SSEN, I'd like to thank our customers in Shroton and the neighbouring villages for their patience during this upgrade, and for appreciating that we had their safety at heart throughout the planning and progress of this project to build a network fit for the future."
SSEN's investment across Shroton and the surrounding areas ensures a power supply and infrastructure fit for the future, by upgrading an important section of Dorset's local network to help communities achieve their decarbonisation ambitions.