SSEN Distribution has completed the successful installation of the first of two new transformers at its Constable Street substation development – a key part of their project that will not only increase reliability of supplies for homes and businesses across the city centre, it will also unlock more network capacity to support the increase in electric vehicles and heat pumps.

This essential project is part of a wider £41m Green Recovery investment programme by SSEN Distribution, which will see upgrades across its two networks in northern Scotland and central southern England, with each ensuring that the local electricity infrastructure is a facilitator and enabler for the nation's drive to net zero.

SSEN Distribution's Project Manager, David Blaikie, pictured here with Trainee Project Manager Shannon Greenhill, explains more about the works: "This £3.4m upgrade to our Constable Street substation is a major boost to the electricity infrastructure in Dundee's city centre, unlocking 12MW of capacity which will support the increase in EVs and heat pump installations, while at the same time the new equipment we're putting in will make the network stronger and reduce the potential for power cuts.

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"The installation of this new transformer, which weighs in at over 40 tonnes, has been months in the planning to minimise disruption to the local community and we're anticipating the second one will be in place in the next 12-14 weeks."

By increasing network capacity across the city centre, this will benefit both domestic customers and businesses looking to make the change to low carbon technologies, such as EV chargers.

Police Scotland is expanding its current fleet of EV vehicles, and this increased capacity for the city's electricity network is a great example of how SSEN is enabling the drive to net zero; a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The upgrade to the substation at Constable Street will not only contribute to Police Scotland's Fleet Strategy to operate and maintain a class-leading, future-proof and sustainable ULEV fleet, it also allows for an evolving solution as newer and more powerful chargers are brought to the market."

SSEN Distribution has advised that the second replacement transformer will be installed in July, and the overall project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.