SSEN Distribution announced on 22 April 2024 that it will spend £4.1m replacing over 3.7km of underground cables between Persley and Bridge of Don substations in Aberdeen1. The work is due to start on 6 May 2024 and be completed by the end of September this year1.
The company said the new cable has a higher load capacity than the cable it replaces, and that this matters as more households take up electric vehicles and low carbon technologies such as heat pumps1. It said the work will improve supplies to over 7,000 homes and businesses and make the network more robust and resilient1. The cables being replaced are approaching the end of their scheduled working life, according to SSEN Distribution's project manager Jack Graham1.
"We'll be replacing cables that are approaching the end of their scheduled working life, and in doing so we'll be improving network reliability and reducing the potential for power cuts; also, as the new cable has an increased load capacity, this means that it's capable of handling more power, which is vital as we see more and more people making the switch over to EVs and low carbon technologies such as heat pumps."
Part of the route involves installing over 400m of cable under the River Don, using a specialist Horizontal Directional Drill1. SSEN said sections of road will need to be closed or partially closed where teams are working, for the safety of commuters and staff, and that closures will be signposted well in advance1. The company said works near local schools and university buildings have been scheduled to avoid academic term times in order to minimise the impact on commuters1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Investment | £4.1m1 |
| Cable replaced | Over 3.7km of underground cable1 |
| Route | Between Persley and Bridge of Don substations, Aberdeen1 |
| Properties supplied | Over 7,000 homes and businesses1 |
| Start date | 6 May 20241 |
| Completion due | End of September 20241 |
| River crossing | Over 400m of cable under the River Don, using Horizontal Directional Drilling1 |
Why it matters for households
The cables in question are the final link between the wider national supply network and the properties they feed, so their condition and capacity set a limit on what a home connected to them can draw. SSEN's stated reason for the upgrade is that existing cables are near the end of their scheduled working life, which the company links to network reliability and the potential for power cuts1. For a household, that is the difference between a supply that holds during peak demand and one that does not.
The capacity element is the second part. A cable with a higher load capacity can carry more power, which SSEN says is vital as more people switch to EVs and heat pumps1. Homes that add a heat pump or a charger increase their demand on the local low voltage network; where that network is already near its limit, reinforcement is what allows those connections to proceed. The announcement does not state how many additional connections the new cable will support, and no figure for the capacity increase in kilowatts or megawatts has been reported1.
The works also carry a short term cost for the area. Road closures and partial closures are expected along the route, with advance signage promised, and the schedule has been arranged around academic term times1. SSEN's customer relationship manager Shona Horn said the company would apologise in advance for any inconvenience and thanked customers for their patience1.
What happens next
Work begins on 6 May 2024 and is due to finish by the end of September 20241. Road closures will be signposted in advance1. No further phases or later reinforcement works in the area have been reported1.