A MULTI-million pound upgrade to electricity supply across Southampton has reached a key milestone in its delivery.
The 14-month long programme of works by SSEN started in Netley Common in December and will benefit 75,000 homes and businesses in the county.
It will see the distribution operator investing £3.9 million in the local electricity infrastructure - future-proofing supplies and building resilience into an “important section of Southampton’s network”.
Now, five months into scheme, SSEN engineers have completed the design and build of the first transformer on site.
READ MORE: Needles and hammer found as police search parks across Southampton
This will enable the first section of the newly upgraded Netley Common infrastructure to be energised by the end of the summer.
Project manager Ben Wollaston said: “The location and nature of these works means that most of this upgrade project will be carried out away from residential and business areas, and will therefore have very minimal impact on our local customers.
“We’ll also be carrying out the rebuild of all the transformers ‘offline’, which means that we have no need to interrupt customers’ power supplies to carry out these substantial improvements to the network around Netley Common.”
In addition to developing a more flexible network to meet Netley Common’s customer requirements now and in years to come, the current project will strengthen the network against adverse weather events and reduce the potential risk of power cuts.
The full scheme is due to complete in February 2023.
READ MORE: 'Thank you, Daily Echo': Google removes fake reviews after Echo steps in
Mr Wollaston said: “My team and I are delighted to be working on this section of Southampton’s network on a project that will boost the strength and flexibility of the local electricity infrastructure; keeping power flowing to those living and working in the area, and helping them meet their net zero goals through a network fit for their needs now and in to the future.”
“The works are just one phase of a series of planned upgrades by SSEN in the Southampton area, with a further project scheduled for early 2025 which will further improve the network through a proposed £3 million investment.
“This ongoing investment by SSEN ensures a power supply ready to meet the changing demands of homes and businesses, as more local customers turn to low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.
Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.
You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.
Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents
Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel