Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' (SSEN's) multimillion-pound project to boost the resilience of Surrey's power supply and future-proof the network for more than 18,000 customers has been completed on time and to budget.
SSEN invested £2 million (US$2.8 million) to upgrade one of the main substations on its Spelthorne infrastructure, serving more than 18,000 local homes and businesses. In addition to upgrading the substation building itself, the 19-month long program of works has seen the replacement of existing equipment — such as switchgear, transformers, and control panels — with more efficient, adaptable switchgear and associated equipment that will serve the network for years to come.
Situated in Sunbury, the site and its associated infrastructure has kept the power flowing to the local area for decades; the switchgear and transformers, now replaced during these upgrade works, had been in continuous service since they were installed in the 1960s.
Joseph Hurling, SSEN's project manager for the upgrade works, said: "SSEN's investment in the latest technology will ensure the strength of the existing power network — keeping power flowing to those living and working in the area — while providing enough available capacity to enable new connections for homes and businesses in this thriving Surrey town.
"This has been a great project to manage and I'm delighted to have played a part in helping build a resilient, flexible network for our Sunbury customers. This improved, robust network will suit their energy needs now and for years to come as residents and business owners look to adapt and adopt low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs).
"This particular site has been serving the local area for years, enabling businesses in the area to grow and adapt and for more residential areas to develop to suit the needs of those living in and around Spelthorne and Sunbury."
The Sunbury substation project was the location for a visit last November by Kwasi Kwarteng, Spelthorne MP and energy minister, as he commended SSEN for investing in the electricity network to provide his constituents with a more resilient power supply, fit for their needs now and as they move to meet their own net-zero goals.
SSEN's investment in this Surrey town ensures a power supply and infrastructure fit for purpose now and in the future by upgrading a critical element of the local network to help communities achieve their decarbonization ambitions.
As part of SSE group, SSEN is one of the largest fleet operators in the United Kingdom and has committed to decarbonizing 3500 vehicles and investing in its electricity network to support 10 million EVs in Great Britain by 2030.
