UK Power Networks has completed a £2.5 million investment in the local electricity network serving the Sevenoaks constituency. More than 9,000 homes and businesses in Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas have benefited from the two year investment programme.
At the heart of the project is a modern 26-tonne transformer that replaced equipment from 1954 that has been well maintained over the years. Transformers lower the voltage, enabling electricity to safely flow down UK Power Networks' cables to people's homes, to use when it is needed.
The new transformer, which receives electricity at 33,000-volts, was energised during the summer, along with a new purpose-built switch house. This switch house will supply electricity to a further two electricity substations.
Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley said: "It is great to see investments being made in Sevenoaks to help maintain reliable and safe electricity supplies for over 9,000 homes. Such improvements mean we can now facilitate more electric vehicles, and increase our use of renewable energy. In the ongoing fight to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and improve our energy security this type of investment is vital.”
Farukh Amin, project manager at UK Power Networks, said: "We are responsible for maintaining, safe and reliable electricity supplies and our work at the Sundridge substation is another example of our investment in maintaining resilient supplies for local residents. Everyone needs a safe and reliable electricity supply to go about their daily lives."
