Around one thousand homes and businesses in North Wales are set to benefit from a six-figure investment boost from SP Energy Networks to upgrade and improve the resilience and reliability of the local electricity network.
The £724,000 improvement programme will support the reconfiguration of the electricity network running between Betws-y-Coed and Pentrefoelas, including the installation of 4km of new underground cable to reinforce the Penmachno section of the overhead line circuit.
This significant investment – part of SP Energy Networks’ overall £100 million spending programme in North Wales between 2023-2028 – will make a positive and lasting difference for local people who have experienced periodic disruption to power supplies in recent years.
The works – which get underway later this week and will be completed in the new year – will also help support the connection of more low-carbon technologies like electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps.
SP Energy Networks’ District General Manager for North Wales, Andy Churchman, said: “This project will make a real difference for local people and provide them with a much more reliable and resilient electricity supply.
“The combination of ageing infrastructure and the impact of storms, gales and lightning means this section of the network has not served local people and communities as well as it should have, and I’m delighted we can now address that.
“We’ve gone above and beyond to find the best possible solution to address the localised network issues in this area, as well as preparing the network for growing electricity demand as people make greener choices in their daily lives.
“We’ve worked closely with the local council and roads authority to plan and design these works to keep any disruption to a minimum. We appreciate there will be some inconvenience, but we know the real and lasting difference this substantial investment will make in delivering a modern and reliable electricity network for North Wales that supports a cleaner and greener future.”
The first phase of the works will see more than 4km of new cabling installed along the B4406 between Conwy Falls and Penmachno village.
It will be installed in 300m sections, which will involve digging up each section of the road at a time to install the cable ducts. Once complete, the teams will reopen the individual sections – one at a time – to install and lay the cables.
To facilitate the works, temporary traffic restrictions, including two-way lights, will be in place as needed to maintain a flow of traffic along this critical village road.
To keep the local community informed, letters have been distributed to local homes and businesses along the route in both Welsh and English.
Community information will also be available via the SP Energy Networks Event Vehicle, which will give local people the chance to find out more, meet the team from SP Energy Networks and O’Connor Utilities (the contractor carrying out the works), and raise any queries.
The SPEN Event Vehicle will be located at the heart of Penmachno Village between 9am and 2pm on Wednesday 4 September, Wednesday 2 October, and Wednesday 6 November and everyone is welcome to drop in.
Regular updates will also be shared with the community as the project progresses.