New Oswestry electricity substation would give power for generations, say officials

The substation in Oswestry will keep the lights on for 130,000 homes and businesses, representatives of SP Energy Networks have said.

They said the three-year project to build the new facilities was essential to maintain the electricity network for decades to come.

The new plant has been operational since August, and those behind the project invited more than 30 members of the local community in to tour the facility on Friday.

The major construction project started in 2012, to replace the original substation which has been in operation since the 1960s. It has been finished on schedule and on budget.

Engineers installed the new infrastructure alongside the old equipment and the work was planned carefully to ensure that there were no interruptions to power supplies as the project progressed.

In the last few weeks the old substation has been officially retired, and all power supplies are now routed through the new installation.

Organisations represented on the tour of the substation included Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and St Martins Parish Council, local businesses and schools.

Mark Sobczak, head of 132kV programmes at SP Energy Networks, said: "We are pleased the project has been completed on schedule and on budget, and the new substation will help to ensure reliable supplies of electricity for homes and businesses across North Shropshire, Welshpool, Newtown and South Wrexham for decades to come.

"The new state-of-the-art substation will allow us greater flexibility to operate and maintain the electricity network. We were delighted to invite members of the local community to see the work we have been carrying out for the last three years. This investment is designed to benefit the local community, so it was fantastic to have the opportunity to meet and talk with so many different community representatives."

Demolition of the old substation is planned for next spring, he said.