UK Power Networks is allocating over £15 million this year to enhance and maintain electricity towers in the East and South East of England, which play a crucial role in transmitting power from the national grid to the distributor’s substations, which then supply power to local communities.
Electricity arrives at UK Power Networks at 132,000 volts and is reduced to 33,000 volts before it is distributed to approximately six million homes and businesses. The company manages 46,000km of overhead lines and maintains 120,000 substations to ensure a continuous supply of electricity to 8.5 million homes and businesses. This investment will also involve the replacement of nearly 10,000 metres of overhead power lines between the towers to bolster reliability and future-proof the network.
A notable aspect of this project is the repainting of nearly 200 towers across Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent, and East Sussex. These towers will be coated with a special anti-corrosion paint to protect them against various weather conditions.
Work is already in progress with contractors Keltbray to ensure these towers continue to deliver a safe and reliable electricity supply. Engineers, trained to safely climb these 30-metre high structures, are at the forefront of this initiative. The public is advised to maintain a safe distance from towers and substations due to the live electricity in the overhead cables.
Colin Barden, Head of Quality and Supply at UK Power Networks, emphasised the significance of this initiative. He stated, “This work is a major part of an annual programme to ensure that our overhead lines continue to meet the requirements of our customers, as the modern-day usage of electricity increases.”