Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has announced a £6.8 million investment in upgrading the electricity infrastructure in Dorset, as part of its ongoing work to build resilience and flexibility into its network.

The project will see a full refurbishment of the overhead network running from Poole through to Blandford Forum and on to the edge of Yeovil; an ambitious and challenging scheme crossing over 45 kilometres of rural and urban areas.

With a planned completion date of August 2023, this substantial investment will boost and strengthen power supplies for some 250,000 homes and businesses in the vicinity of the works through the installation of modern and more efficient equipment.

Already under way, the 55-week long, multi-million pound series of works includes:

• Replacing 45 kilometres of overhead line circuit in Dorset

• Installing 230 kilometres of new conductor cable across the scheme

• Upgrading 234 towers with new fittings and insulators

• Renewing overhead cabling to both 33kV and 11kV supplies for local customers

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Daniel Rees is SSEN's Project Manager for the works and explains further:

"This significant investment in Dorset's infrastructure is part of ongoing works by SSEN to ensure the electricity infrastructure is robust enough to stand up to any adverse weather events throughout the year and to accommodate the changing needs of our customers who are switching to low carbon technologies to meet their net zero goals.

"At SSEN, we understand the requirements of local homes and businesses and develop our electricity infrastructure to meet those needs now and for many years to come.

"We're already one month in to this extensive project and I'd like to thank all of those living and working in the vicinity of this upgrade for the patience they have shown us as we work to build them a network fit for the future."

Daniel continued: "While there are no Planned Supply Interruptions for the duration of these works, I'd like to remind our customers of the free, additional assistance SSEN can provide during power cuts and would encourage anyone who might benefit from our Priority Services Register to find out how this service can help them, or any vulnerable family members."

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.

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

With an estimated uptake of 13,488 electric vehicles across Poole alone by 2030 and the addition of over 5,100 heat pumps and nearly 3,000 solar panels, SSEN is working to develop and build power supplies that suit the needs of residents and businesses now and for many years to come.

By upgrading critical areas of Dorset's electricity network, SSEN is helping local communities achieve their decarbonisation ambitions through a power supply and infrastructure that's fit for purpose and fit for the future.