For residents who have been plagued by repeated power cuts at Newton, Priory Bridge and Calderglen, an update is now available.
This update has come via Clare Haughey MSP after SP Energy Networks wrote to her today and outlines some work SP Energy Networks are undertaking in the coming weeks.
Work is due to start this week, aiming to improve the reliability and quality of electrical supply in Newton Farm and Priory Bridge areas following some ‘challenges’ experienced over the last 12 months.
SP Energy Networks wrote, “Over the next few weeks, work will be undertaken to re-configure the high voltage network. This will significantly reduce, however not eliminate, the dependence on legacy cables (c. 1960s) that were stressed abnormally during faults in October 2023.”
“To facilitate this reinforcement, work will be completed at our Westburn road substation that will be largely unnoticed by the general public. Our cable laying contractor, C. Spratt Multi-Utility, will begin excavation works on Grayline avenue on 16th October. Jointing works are scheduled between 21st – 23rd October at our Westburn road substation and at Grayline avenue. There should be no interruption to electricity supplies during these works, however for periods of approximately 6 hours during the day on 22nd and 23rd October, the alternative supplies in the event of a fault on the network will be limited. Staff will be made available to address any issues that materialise and ensure minimal disruption should an unplanned event occur.”
“Additional investment in cable modernisation is being planned in the Priory Bridge / Calderglen area [Blantyre] to further improve the reliability of this network. This investment in being targeted based on the results of specialist testing that was conducted in December 2023 and is being repeated later this month.”
“Once completed, this reinforcement work will significantly reduce the customers in Newton Farm that may impacted by any single high voltage fault, from approximately 1600 customers to approximately 600 customers. Additionally, those customers in Newton Farm will have almost no dependence on any legacy cables that were affected. The reconfiguration of the circuit also reduces the potential impact of a fault on customers in Priory Bridge and Calderglen, ahead of the cable investment work.”
This represents a significant investment in this area and goes some way to highlight the commitment to address the issues experienced by customers over the last year.
