SEPD invests millions to reduce power cuts
Engineers across the region have spent several months ramping up maintenance and refurbishment on key parts of the electricity network to ensure the power equipment is ready should severe weather hit the south.
The programme to upgrade and maintain the network infrastructure is designed to improve the resilience of the network in central southern England. The investment ahead of this winter has gone into a range of programmes designed to reduce the number of power cuts during the winter months.
Investment across the network has been made in substations, stronger overhead wires, more robust underground cables, and hi-tech automated equipment to switch electricity supplies from another source if power is cut.
One of the largest investments across the network has been in “smart fuse” technology. These devices detect faults – often caused by airborne debris flying into overhead lines – and if it is safe to do so, switch the power back on. Rather than wait for an engineer to drive to the fault site, carry out an investigation and then restore the supply, these smart fuses can get the power back on in a matter of minutes.
Southern Electric Power Distribution has also invested nearly ?20million in cutting trees and branches that could come into contact with overhead lines, and cause a power cut. This includes the company’s biggest ever one-day tree-cutting programme at a cost of ?350,000 in rural West Sussex.
Director of Distribution, Stuart Hogarth, said: “This new investment work in the area will mean our network is even more robust. If there is a power cut, supplies in these areas will be restored more quickly as a result of this investment.”
If customers do find themselves without electricity, the emergency contact number for them to call is 0800 72 72 82. There is also an online service available with updated information on the electricity network along with advice for customers.
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