Homes in Aberdeenshire have received a multi-million pound boost to their electricity network after the completion of a major cable installation project.
The £2.2 million upgrade was part of a £10 million investment by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to overhaul power lines, substations and underground cables across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
It will benefit properties in communities including Dyce, Kingseat, Balmedie and Ellon.
SSEN said the work will ensure “secure and reliable” power supply to over 11,500 homes and businesses.
Teams are also understood to be installing automated equipment to restore power automatically should faults occur.
The £850,000 investment in automation equipment will enable remote control from SSEN’s main control room, where engineers can restore power with the touch of a button.
SSEN’s teams are also working in the city, investing over £780,000 to provide “resilience of power” with new underground electricity cable between Northfield and the Woodhill substation near Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Michael Hilferty, head of SSEN’s North Caledonia region, said: “In August last year, we announced a multi-million pound programme of investment in Aberdeen and it’s great to see our teams making good progress and delivering on this commitment with the energisation of the Dyce – Kingseat underground cable.
“This investment will future-proof the network, ensuring power supplies to existing homes and businesses are robust and reliable, while also increasing the capacity available for new connections to accommodate the increasing local demand for electricity.”