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SSEN ’ S £ 12 MILLION NET ZERO LOCAL NETWORK PROGRAMME TO BENEFIT HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN THE BOURNEMOUTH AREA
Homes and businesses in and around Bournemouth are going to benefit from a £ 12 million investment by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks ( SSEN ) that will result in a more resilient and flexible electricity network , supporting this coastal community ’ s move towards net zero .
Starting on 30 September 2024 , and running until 2026 , the multi-million-pound upgrade will future-proof the local electricity network for almost 200,000 customers . Older , existing infrastructure will be replaced with more modern and efficient equipment , to better serve the needs of residents , business owners and the many visitors to the area .
Running from Christchurch through to Boscombe , the project will be carried out by SSEN ’ s trusted contract partners Keltbray Infrastructure Services .
The scheme will include : the replacement of nearly 6km of underground cabling the decommissioning of older equipment housed at one of the substations along the route , which is no longer needed due to new , more efficient kit being installed .
This comprehensive project will improve this community ’ s local network , making it more resilient in the face of adverse weather . It also lays the groundwork for greater local network capacity in the future , in combination with other works .
In the run-up to works beginning , SSEN has held briefing sessions with the local council and elected members , and this engagement will continue as the project progresses . Advance warning notices , and adverts will give local people guidance on how the project works might affect them .
SSEN ’ s Senior Project Manager for the works , Michael Deans says : “ This project will be beneficial locally for our customers in Christchurch and Boscombe , as well as those in the wider Bournemouth area . Their network will become more resilient , and these works will contribute to a growth in network capacity in the future , which in turn will support the move to net zero .
Together , we ’ ll ensure works are carried out safely and with minimal disruption to local residents and businesses .
“ As a considerate constructor , we ’ ll ensure our customers are listened to and kept updated , so we ’ ll be talking to people in the community and addressing any of their questions , with regular updates and open communications .
“ We ’ ve also been working closely with BCP Council to carefully plan the best route and works schedule , so the project is delivered as safely and quickly as possible . Due to the nature of the works , some traffic management will have to be in place at certain points , and people will be informed of any such measures well in advance .”
A dedicated project page has been set up by SSEN for anyone wanting to find out more about the works , which can be accessed via www . ssen . co . uk / boscombe .
No planned power interruptions are scheduled to take place during the works , but anyone who has concerns about vulnerability during power cuts is reminded of SSEN ’ s Priority Services Register .
Customers are eligible for SSEN ’ s free Priority Services Register ( PSR ) if they :
• Are deaf or hard of hearing
• Have a disability
• Live with children under five
• Are blind or partially sighted
• Have a chronic illness
• Use medical equipment / aids reliant on electricity
• Are over 60
• Temporarily need extra support
“ SSEN and our contract partners have already been talking to local authorities and elected members prior works beginning .
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