Energy / Work on new underground electricity cable gets underway
A PROJECT to upgrade the electricity distribution infrastructure in the Shetland mainland is now underway.
The Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution project, which is worth £465,000, will see a new underground cable installed between Dale and Scalloway.
Local contractor EMN Plant Ltd is working on the project.
The investment will benefit over 3,500 properties on the mainland, with the new underground cable reinforcing the existing network to Scalloway substation and providing another route for the electricity powering homes and businesses in Scalloway, Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh.
It forms part of a multi-million pound programme of investment in Shetland’s local electricity distribution network, with £2.7 million being pledged over the next two years.
SSEN’s Shetland operations manager George Priest said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with EMN Plant Ltd to deliver this significant investment on the mainland.
“The installation of the new underground cable will reinforce the existing network and provide an additional route so we can keep the power flowing to our customers during faults or maintenance works.
“We’d like to reassure the local community we’ll do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum as we work.”
SSEN has contacted all 3,500 properties to provide advanced notice of the works, details on the priority services register and contact details for additional support, where required.
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