Image courtesy of Discover Frome

Work to boost the resilience of the power supply in a Somerset town gets under way this week, with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) investing over £250,000 in the local improvement project.

As part of SSEN's ongoing investment programme to support local communities' energy needs now and in to the future, the overhead electricity network - supplying hundreds of homes and businesses on the outskirts of Frome - will be upgraded through the replacement of 56 poles over a 6.64 kilometre stretch of the town's infrastructure.

Taking just four weeks to complete, the investment programme in the surrounding area of this thriving town will boost the resilience of the existing power supply for those living and working in the area; strengthening the network against adverse weather and the possibility of power cuts that high winds and storms can bring.

Alongside the upgrade to the overhead network, SSEN will also cut back any vegetation or trees which can come in to contact with the cables and therefore interrupt the flow of power to homes and businesses in the area.

SSEN's Project Manager, Paul Mcinerny said:

"My team and I are delighted to carry out these improvement works for the residents and business owners in the Frome area, building a resilient power supply for our customers ahead of colder, windier weather. SSEN has carefully timed these works to align with the needs of our customers, while having the least impact on them and the local environment near the network.

"We understand the importance of providing a robust power supply and, with this in mind, will carry out this upgrade project with minimal planned power supply interruptions. I'd like to assure our customers that they will be notified well in advance of any potential interruptions, which will be as short as possible in duration while we carry out these improvement works."

SSEN would like to take this opportunity to remind residents of its Priority Services Register (PSR) and encourage them to sign up for extra assistance through the free, additional service which helps those who may be vulnerable in the event of a power cut.

Customers can qualify 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/aids reliant on electricity
  • Are over 60
  • Are categorised at 'high risk' and 'extremely high risk' of severe illness from coronavirus.

To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259.

Network reliability is a key priority for SSEN and the communities it serves; investing in projects to maintain a robust infrastructure for customers' changing demands.

This latest investment by SSEN in Somerset will ensure a power supply that suits the needs of residents now and in to the future. By upgrading this section of the local infrastructure, SSEN is helping its customers to achieve their decarbonisation ambitions; so as more of them turn to low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, they have a supply and network that's fit for purpose.