A programme of works to upgrade an essential part of the overhead network serving Burghfield in Reading is being carried out by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

The £276,000 project is now under way and will be completed over the next three months, building resilient into the overhead electricity network which supplies some 6,000 local homes and businesses. Starting at the Burghfield substation on Cottage Lane in Pingewood, the works will progress along the overhead power line running adjacent to Rose Kiln Lane, to the completion point at the A33 in Reading.

As part of the upgrade, SSEN’s engineers will replace insulators and associated equipment on the overhead line infrastructure; boosting the strength of the area’s power supplies and making them more robust in the face of adverse weather.

SSEN’s Project Manager for the works, Martin Bailey said:

“While these works will be completed in a relatively short space of time, the upgrade to the network will be significant and will benefit those living and working the area for many years to come.

“This upgrade project for the overhead network is just one of a series of works SSEN has carried out recently to build further resilience in to Reading’s electricity infrastructure; ensuring our customers have  a robust and resilient power supply that is fit for their needs now and in the future.”

SSEN plans all of its works to ensure minimal disruption to those living and working in the vicinity of the upgrade, and would like to reassure customers that no interruptions to power supplies will take place in relation to this three-month long project.

Any customers who are concerned about unrelated power cuts are encouraged to find out more about the free assistance available from SSEN through its Priority Services Register (PSR).  

Customers are eligible for the Priority Services Register 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’ or ‘extremely high risk’ of severe illness from coronavirus

For more information on our Priority Services Register, click here or call 0800 294 3259.

About this author

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

We are the electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) responsible for delivering power to over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and the north of Scotland. We serve some of the most diverse and unique geographies across the UK, and keep customers and communities connected whilst developing the flexible electricity network vital to achieving net zero.