Multimillion-pound investment in Greater Manchester’s power network progresses

A £24m investment in Salford’s power grid continues to progress following the installation of three 75-tonne electrical assets.

Engineers from SP Electricity North West have recently installed the 132,000-volt electrical transformers at one of its substations which will help transfer power across Greater Manchester.

Underground cable replacement projects in Agecroft and Duchy Road have also progressed to the next stage as teams work to replace older, oil-filled cables with modern cables.

All of the work being carried out will ensure the rising demand for electricity can be met as more people adopt technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps.

Vincent Cranny, head of capital delivery for SP Electricity North West, said: “Our work in Salford is absolutely critical for development both in the city and surrounding areas.

“More than 146,000 homes and businesses will benefit as the upgraded assets will cater for Greater Manchester’s future needs for electricity, which underpins the region’s continued exceptional growth.

“The work taking place is a significant engineering task and we are making excellent progress.”

Once the cables have been replaced, teams will then connect them to the new transformers at SP Electricity North West’s Frederick Road site.

The three 75-tonne transformers travelled more than 1,000 miles from Austria with specialist vehicles needed.

“Throughout the project, we’ve ensured we’ve kept local people up to date and we’ll continue to do so until we’re finished,” added Vincent Cranny.

“We appreciate, at times, work can be disruptive as our teams work in the roads, however, once complete, Salford and the surrounding areas will benefit from an enhanced power supply with new, state-of-the-art assets installed.”

Another  seven-figure investment project which will improve reliability and capacity of the power network throughout Bolton-le-Sands in Lancashire continues to progress.  

Engineers from SP Electricity North West are well under way with the £2.6m scheme which will see 33,000-volt underground electricity cables installed.  

The project started earlier this year and already, teams have installed 1km of underground duct with a further 3.8km to go. Once all of the duct has been installed, teams will return to pull the cable into place and connect it to the network.  

Close to 5,000 homes and businesses will benefit from the work that takes place and as the project progresses along Coastal Road, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale Lizzi Collinge visited site to learn more about the benefits for the village and surrounding areas.  

Vincent Cranny added: “I’m delighted to say we’ve made excellent progress on the project. 

“The reliance on electricity is only increasing as more people switch to electric vehicles, heat pumps and other low carbon technologies.  

“Our proactive, forward-thinking approach will not only improve reliability in the area but also allow for future development using clean electricity.”  

Temporary traffic lights are being used so teams can work safely. Teams will continue to work down Coastal Road before progressing along Marine Road East and then on to Broadway, up to the substation at Winchester Avenue.   

Lizzie Collinge and Vincent Cranny. Image SPENW

 “It was great to visit this project to understand the benefits that this work will bring to Bolton-le-Sands and the surrounding area,” added Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge.  

“This is a significant multimillion-pound investment which will benefit thousands of residents and businesses.  

“I wanted to ensure the impact on my constituents will be minimal while the work is completed. It was clear to me that teams from SP Electricity North West are working incredibly hard, making good progress each day and doing their best to keep disruption to a minimum.”