POWER supplies to Hampshire villages are being upgraded in a £470,000 investment by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

The upgrade centres around Barton Stacey and includes Bullington, Wonston, Drayton and Sutton Scotney and will benefit nearly 1,000 households.

Running until the end of the year, the works will involve a significant upgrade to overhead infrastructure. The project will focus on upgrading overhead conductors and the replacement of old wood poles and transformers.

This will build greater resilience in the face of adverse weather, reduce unplanned interruptions, and will meet the electricity needs of local homes and businesses as they move to meet their net zero goals.

Project planner John O’Reilly said: “SSEN is delighted to carry out these improvement works across Barton Stacey, building a resilient power supply that will stand up to inclement weather and suit their needs for many years.

“SSEN is carrying out this project under careful planning, which will have the least impact on our customers and the environment in the vicinity of the works. I’d like to reassure our customers that we will complete this upgrade with minimal planned power supply interruptions. Any customers who may be affected by this will be notified well in advance of any potential interruptions, which will be as short as possible in duration, while we carry out these improvement works.”

SSEN would like to take this opportunity to remind residents of its Priority Services Register (PSR) and encourage them to sign up for extra assistance through the free, additional service which helps those who may be vulnerable in the event of a power cut.

Customers can qualify 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;

• Are categorised at ‘high risk’ and ‘extremely high risk’ of severe illness from coronavirus.

To find out more about the PSR call 0800 294 3259.

Network reliability is a priority for SSEN and its customers. Following a series of engagements with customers in Hampshire, SSEN took the decision to make this investment in Barton Stacey to improve network resilience and future-proof its infrastructure for customer’s changing demands.

SSEN’s investment ensures a power supply and infrastructure fit for the future, by upgrading an important section of the area’s local network to help communities achieve their decarbonisation ambitions.