SSEN is investing £6.8 million to build Dorset customers a network fit for the future.

The £6.8 million project will see a full refurbishment of the overhead network running from Poole through to Blandford Forum and on to the edge of Yeovil; an ambitious and challenging scheme crossing over 45 kilometres of rural and urban areas.

With a planned completion date of August 2023, this substantial investment will boost and strengthen power supplies for some 250,000 homes and businesses in the vicinity of the works through the installation of modern and more efficient equipment.


Already under way, the 55-week long, multi-million pound series of works includes:

• Replacing 45 kilometres of overhead line circuit in Dorset

• Installing 230 kilometres of new conductor cable across the scheme

• Upgrading 234 towers with new fittings and insulators

• Renewing overhead cabling to both 33kV and 11kV supplies for local customers

Daniel Rees is SSEN’s Project Manager for the works and explains said: "This significant investment in Dorset’s infrastructure is part of ongoing works by SSEN to ensure the electricity infrastructure is robust enough to stand up to any adverse weather events throughout the year and to accommodate the changing needs of our customers who are switching to low carbon technologies to meet their net zero goals.

"At SSEN, we understand the requirements of local homes and businesses and develop our electricity infrastructure to meet those needs now and for many years to come.

"We're already one month in to this extensive project and I’d like to thank all of those living and working in the vicinity of this upgrade for the patience they have shown us as we work to build them a network fit for the future."