Cerne Abbas Network Investment

SSEN Distribution will be undertaking a vital infrastructure upgrade starting this Autumn, boosting the power supply to future proof the electricity network for homes and businesses in the Dorset area.

What work is being delivered?

Our existing Cerne Abbas substation contains equipment that has been in place since the 1960s and as such is reaching the end of its operational life. The existing location of the infrastructure makes maintenance more challenging and doesn’t allow for further upgrades to take place. We’ve identified a new site which will enable these upgrades and provide safe access for our operatives. Our proposed works will see us decommission the existing Cerne Abbas primary substation, designing and constructing a new, modernised, Cerne Abbas site.

Work is scheduled to begin in Autumn 2026 and continue through to the end of 2027. We’re currently undergoing mandatory surveys which will be included in the planning permission submission alongside detailed designs, and layouts for the existing equipment.

Through our programme of works this upgrade will modernise equipment, improve safety and ensure the network is ready to meet future energy demands. Reinforcing this part of the distribution network is part of our continued commitment to ensuring our communities have a reliable, resilient and flexible power supply.

Environmental and Road Conditions

Our delivery partner, Aureos, has conducted a number of surveys to ensure that the impact of our work will be kept to a minimum.

Our team has worked closely with the local council highways authority to ensure that we’re working collaboratively with other utility companies, while minimising disruption to local traffic flow wherever possible.

Keeping in touch

We understand these works may cause some disruption and noise, but we’ll follow industry best practices to ensure our contractors do everything they can to minimise any inconvenience.

We’ll write in sequence to residents and businesses on each road that is affected, to ensure that residents and businesses are kept up-to-date with the progress of our work and the traffic management measures we’ll have in place.

In addition to this, we’ll be holding community drop-in events at key points throughout the project, and encourage residents and stakeholders to check back here for further details.