THE ELECTRICY network operator is investing £3.5 million in its network infrastructure across North Shropshire and Mid Wales
Homes and businesses across North Shropshire and Mid Wales are set to benefit from a multi-million pounds investment in the local electricity network from SP Energy Networks.
The network operator’s £3.5 million investment will modernise more than 28 miles of overhead lines and structures on the 132,000-volt circuit between Oswestry – the ancient market town in Shropshire – and Newtown, Powys in the heart of Mid Wales.
The project – which will future-proof the network for decades to come – gets underway this month, following pre-engineering and surveys works in 2023, and will be completed by the end of September.
The works, across more than 280 electricity network towers and poles, will cover a distance longer than a marathon and involve the replacement of over 300 sets of insulators and the application of a protective coating to 60 towers.
SP Energy Networks’ 132kV General Manager, Mark Sobczak, said: “This investment is all about ensuring we can continue to deliver a reliable and resilient electricity network while supporting the continued generation of clean and green electricity for 32,000 homes and businesses across North Shropshire and Mid Wales.
“This is one of the biggest projects geographically being undertaken across our Manweb licence area as part of our five-year £200 million investment in our England and Wales 132kV network. I look forward to seeing the works completed over the next few months and we will continue to progress our wider investment plans for the region and the electricity network for the future.”
This project follows the recent North Shropshire £18 million reinforcement project and the £12 million modernisation of Oswestry grid substation and demonstrates SP Energy Networks’ ongoing commitment into ensuring the continued resilience of its grid infrastructure.
Works to modernise the Oswestry to Welshpool circuit are planned from 2025.
