Ready for winter

SCOTTISH Hydro’s engineers say they have made the Shetland electricity network more able to withstand rough weather this winter.

The company has now completed a £1 million upgrade to the power supply between Brae and Northmavine, with underground cables and new technology fitted at the Brae substation that should reduce the number of customers who will be affected by a power cut.

They are now rebuilding overhead lines in Muckle Roe and Nibon as well as the supply to the Eshaness lighthouse at an extra cost of £2.2 million.

These new lines have new measures fitted that should make it easier to track down any power cuts should they occur.

The overhead lines throughout Shetland have undergone an inspection, with special attention being paid to the main fault areas over the past few years so engineers can take proactive steps to prevent them from happening again.

The company has also updated its Priority Service Register to make sure vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and families with young babies have extra care and support during power cuts.

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More information about the register can be obtained by calling 0800 294 3259.

Shetland distribution operations manager George Priest said they were doing all they could to prevent power cuts this winter.

“We’re installing the latest equipment and technology across the islands, and this will make the local network is as strong and resilient as possible,” he said.