£3million Dundee electricity upgrade complete

A £3million investment project by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to strengthen the electricity transmission network in Dundee is now complete.

The works were required to replace a 52-year old cable which was reaching the end of its operational life with two new cables, each over a mile long, between Dudhope and Glenagnes substations. The installation of the secondary cable will now provide greater network resilience and security; further reinforcing the electricity network for homes and businesses across Dundee 

To minimise disruption throughout the installation process, SSEN utilised existing conduits to pull the cables between five open excavations before connecting the cables together. This innovative technique removed the need to dig trenches along the route of the cable.

SSEN Project Manager, Les McLaughlin, explains more: “The existing 132kv cable has reliably delivered electricity locally since 1965 and I am proud to say that the replacement cables have now been installed on schedule.

“As a responsible operator, we were keen to come up with a solution that would minimise the impact on local residents and businesses. By using the existing infrastructure under the streets, we were able to pull the new cables through open excavations which greatly reduced the impact on local residents, businesses and road users.

“I would like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience whilst we undertook these essential works.”

Local Councillor, Bailie Fraser Macpherson said: “This was a major project with the work covering a number of West End streets including the very busy Lochee Road so I was pleased to see that SSEN adopted measures to reduce the disruption as far as possible.   It is reassuring to know that the new cabling work is now completed and it will ensure the delivery of electricity in Dundee for another 50 years.”