£1m investment for Forest of Dean power network

We are investing £1million on the electricity network in the Forest of Dean to further safeguard supply reliability for customers.

We became the electricity distribution business responsible for the Midlands in April 2011, and this new initiative has involved upgrading equipment in a major substation that supplies electricity to around 2,500 customers in Clearwell, Newland, Bream, Whitecliff and Stow.

The work will also see remote controlled technology added to the overhead network, which will help to minimise disruption to customers in the event of a supply problem. Existing overhead lines are being refurbished and new underground cables installed to further reinforce the network.

Work to install new cables between Bream and Clearwell has begun, while the rest of the works are expected to be completed by spring 2013.

“Our aim is to invest to maintain the reliability and quality of electricity supplies for years to come,” said Neil James, WPD’s Gloucester Distribution Manager.

“WPD is committed to providing a consistently high level of service for customers and will have spent over £2billion on network improvements between 2010 and 2015.”