The £10.6 million programme of works to upgrade the network for customers in Alton and Bordon will commence on 1 May 2023 and will run until September 2024; future-proofing and strengthening the area’s power supplies to cope with severe weather events and to accommodate greater uptake of low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps as customers look to meet their net zero goals.
In addition to building a new substation in Bordon and upgrading substation connections, the distribution operator will replace 18 kilometres of existing underground power cables and associated infrastructure with more modern, sustainable and efficient equipment that will keep the power flowing for those living and working in these thriving and developing towns.
Two community events will be held ahead of the works to enable local householders, business owners and stakeholders to meet the SSEN team and find out more about the investment works. These events will be held on:
- Wednesday 19 April - 3pm to 7pm in the Meeting Room of the Alton Community Centre, Amery Street, Alton, GU34 1HN (Google Map Link)
- Saturday 22 April - 10am to 3pm at The Shed, Sergeants Yard, Bordon, GU35 0DJ (Google Maps Link)
This latest phase of network improvements by SSEN follows the £400,000 preparatory works successfully completed in Bordon in November of last year and will begin from the Alton substation, where they will proceed to Oakhanger Road and then across to the new Bordon substation in the eastern outskirts of the town.
Anthony Horne is SSEN’s Project Manager for these substantial works. He said:
“My team and I are delighted to now be progressing this £10.6 million project after completing the first phase of preparatory works late last year. As a considerate constructor, we have been working closely with stakeholders and local partners to ensure that we can carry out and complete this upgrade with the least inconvenience to customers living and working nearby. This is a substantial programme of works and, as such, some traffic management systems will have to be in place at certain points of the works. I’d like to reassure our customers that these measures have been carefully planned with both Highways England the Hampshire County Council to ensure that the potential for noise or disruption have been minimised."
Anthony added:
“In addition to community events to discuss the project and enable local residents, business owners and interested parties to meet the team and ask any questions, SSEN has set up a project page to give full information on the works as they progress."
Project Page
There are no planned power interruptions scheduled to take place during the works, but anyone who has concerns about vulnerability during power cuts is reminded of SSEN’s Priority Services Register.
Customers are eligible for SSEN's free Priority Services Register (PSR) 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
- Temporarily need extra support
Priority Services
