Stockport electricity network operator secures £40 million to improve rural electricity supply

Stockport based electricity network operator, Electricity North West, has secured £40 million from Ofgem to fund improvements to the power network in rural areas across the region.

Funding for six projects over the next four years aim to enhance the reliability of the power network during adverse weather. The proposals for the projects, submitted to Ofgem in Februrary 2024, were begun in the wake of damage to infrastructure supplying electricity to rural and remote parts of the North West during 2021’s Storm Arwen.

Paul Killilea, Electricity North West’s asset and investment director, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted that all our submitted projects have been approved by Ofgem.

“This is great news for our customers who live in rural areas and do experience interruptions during storms and bad weather.

“The investment we will make will undoubtedly enhance the way the network operates, disruptions will be reduced and when power cuts do happen, the technology we install will mean we can restore more properties quickly.”

The approved programmes will see Electricity North West install more automation on the low voltage power network, improving visibility of issues and restoration times. Targeted sections of the overhead network would be moved underground whilst more interconnectors linking key parts of its network would be installed to improve resilience. 

New interconnectors will also be created to allow a mutual power exchange with neighbouring distribution network operators (DNO) to restore power to customers more quickly.  

Paul Killilea added:

“After Storm Arwen, we participated in industry reviews and have implemented a lot of lessons learned.

“Our network is built to and in many cases surpasses industry standards but we recognise there are always ways to improve it.

“As well as carrying out an ongoing, yearly, resilience programme in response to the climate change and variable weather, the reopener allows us to submit enhanced proposals which will improve resilience in these most rural areas.”