A multimillion-pound project upgrading the power network in Greater Manchester is underway.
Electricity North West, which operates the region’s power network, has commenced work on its £2.2m scheme on the Arrowfield Estate in Chorlton.
The project, which will benefit both the local and wider community in Chorlton, will see engineers replace 2km of underground electricity cables, install new service cables to more than 300 properties and build three new 6,600volt electricity substations whilst another substation will also be upgraded.
Initial works have now started which includes excavating and planning for the cable installation.
Matt Savka, who is overseeing the Arrowfield project for Electricity North West, said: “We’re really pleased with the progress we have already made, with over 750m of cable laid in the first month of work.
“The work we are carrying out is very complex, but it will have major long-term benefits for those on the estate and in the surrounding areas.
“As the country moves away from traditional fossil fuel systems towards low carbon technologies, such as Heat Pumps and Electric Vehicles, it’s important that we provide more capacity on the power network to meet the growing demand. Electricity North West are committed to enabling our customers to transition to Low Carbon Technologies and help Greater Manchester meet its Carbon Neutral target by 2038.”
The work being carried out will be a catalyst for Southway Housing Trust’s ERDF Low Carbon Living programme on estate, which will include the multimillion-pound upgrade of old, inefficient gas boilers to new super-efficient, low-carbon heat pumps.
Electricity North West is providing more than £2m worth of work for the project from its Green Recovery Fund. Matt Savka added: “Throughout the project, we will be keeping customers up to date with the works we are carrying out.
“This is a major project for Greater Manchester and the first project of its kind for Electricity North West’s network and I want to thank everybody for their cooperation, patience and support.”
Work for the project must be completed by 2023 and whilst engineers are carrying out work in the roads, temporary traffic lights will be used for safety reasons.
For more information about Electricity North West, please visit www.enwl.co.uk.
