Fetlar electricity network upgrade

A half a million pound investment is being made to improve the electricity network in Fetlar.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is investing the money and engineers are planning major work to strengthen the main overhead line that supplies electricity to around 80 customers.

It includes additional lightning protection on the line and the replacement of 109 lightweight wood poles with heavy-duty ones.

Before the work begins, SSEN is inviting community members to an open evening on Wednesday 16th November between 4pm and 7pm at Fetlar Hall.

Engineers will use mobile generators to keep the period of disruption to a minimum, as they carry out the work to strengthen the network.

The work is expected to take up to six weeks, depending on the weather.

Remote

SSEN’s Shetland operations manager, George Priest, said: “The island of Fetlar is one of the most remote and isolated parts of our network in the north of Scotland. To ensure we are minimising interruptions to our customers’ electricity supply, we are committed to investing in the network through this major refurbishment programme.

“We want to ensure customers are informed before we carry out this work and would like to extend an invitation to everyone in Fetlar to find out more about what we’re doing at our open evening on Wednesday 16th November. We will be delighted to answer questions; and receive any comments, suggestions or feedback.

“Our priority is to provide a secure and safe electricity supply for our customers and we understand how important this is to small island communities. Strengthening the network in Fetlar is expected to deliver significant improvements for many years to come, but we also want to make sure customers have all of the information and support they need while the refurbishment work is ongoing.”