Dorset's electricity network strengthened as part of £12 million scheme (From Dorset Echo)

Dorset's electricity network strengthened as part of £12 million scheme

5:00pm Friday 4th January 2013 in News

DORSET’S electricity network has been strengthened over the winter months as part of a £12million scheme.

Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SEPD) has invested the funds in maintenance and refurbishment on key parts of the Dorset network.

The improvements are part of a planned £330 million company-wide investment programme over the next four years.

Darren Hall, operations manager at SEPD’s Poole depot, said: “Our teams have been out checking our equipment at key substations around Dorset and patrolling our overhead power lines to make sure they are as reliable and secure as possible.

“We have weather monitoring systems that allow us to plan five or six days ahead so we can be ready for severe weather.

“This means it is far easier for us to mobilise crews, materials and equipment as quickly as possible.

“We’ve even kitted out our 4x4 vehicles with ‘snow socks’ for their tyres so they can get out and about no matter how harsh the conditions.”

Local engineers have spent several months ramping up maintenance and refurbishment to ensure the power equipment is ready in case severe weather hits the south.

Investment has been made in new substation kit, stronger overhead cables and hi-tech automated equipment to switch electricity supplies from another source if power is cut.

Overhead power lines between Mannington and Christchurch were refurbished in the summer, as well as projects to replace overhead lines with underground cables, to help make the network more robust at Wareham and Stoborough Heath.