AN MP has praised multi-million pound projects that are making Dorchester cleaner and greener.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution hosted Chris Loder MP at its Primary Substation, in Lower Trinity Street car park, after starting work last year on its £2.5 million investments in Dorchester - in order to boost the power supply for the over 12,000 customers.

According to SSEN, the intricate programme of works involved the replacement and installation of new transformers and switchboard, and a more efficient reconfigured layout of the substation.

Chris Loder, west Dorset MP, said: "It was great to see this level of investment by SSEN in Dorchester’s electricity network, and how the investments will benefit my constituents."

The reconfiguration, replacement, and installation of the equipment at the substation was necessary to ensure the electricity network in Dorchester could meet forecasted future network demand and the uptake of low carbon technologies, like heat pumps and electric vehicles.

Earlier this year, SSEN announced the Lower Trinity Street Car Park, along with three other locations throughout Dorset, were selected as sites for an additional £2.2 million investment.

The investment in Dorset was one of the 12 projects selected out of 150 submissions and will support Dorset Council’s electric vehicle chargepoint rollout programme.

Almost three kilometres of underground cabling will be replaced - helping support a green economic recovery and accelerate the delivery of low-carbon technologies.

"The UK is an international leader on climate change, and the green recovery scheme is a welcome intervention in supporting Dorchester’s net zero ambitions and getting more electric vehicles on Dorset’s roads," said Mr Loder.

Tim Eccleston, SSEN’s Project Manager for the Dorchester Primary Substation investment said: “It was fantastic to host Chris at the site of two of SSEN’s multi-million pound investments in Dorchester. Both projects are helping deliver different important aspects of the transition to net zero for Dorchester.

“We are really proud to be delivering these investment programmes and the benefits they are unlocking for the people of Dorchester."