Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has announced that a £2.6 million programme of works to upgrade the electricity infrastructure in the Dorset village of Charminster will get underway on Monday 28 August.

Due to be completed in March 2024, the upgrade project will see the replacement of 4.6 kilometres of existing underground cabling with modern, more efficient cables that will boost the resilience of power supplies for the homes and businesses in the local area; creating a more robust network in the face of severe weather events, which have the potential to cause power cuts.

With over 3,350 residents, the residents of the Dorset village will also benefit from the upgraded infrastructure as they seek to meet net zero goals and adopt more low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps.


SSEN's Project Manager for the works, Aaron Reed, said: "As a considerate constructor, SSEN has been working with stakeholders and local partners prior to this upgrade project starting to ensure the works are carried out with the least possible inconvenience to local residents and business owners. We'll be engaging with the community throughout the project with regular updates and open communications to provide progress reports and to address any questions.

"Due to the nature of the works, some traffic management systems will have to be in place at certain points of the upgrade. I'd like to reassure our customers that these measures have been carefully planned with both Highways England and Dorset Council to ensure that the potential for noise or disruption have been minimised."

Aaron continued: "My team and I are delighted to be working on this upgrade that will keep the power flowing for our Charminster customers, with a network that is fit for the future and all of their needs for many years to come."