Work started on the GBP680,000 project in November 2007 and is currently replacing over 200 poles on the 18km circuit, with the new line due to be fully commissioned in the summer of 2008.
ScottishPower said that the majority of new lines will follow existing power routes with some minor deviations to avoid woods which have caused network damage in the past.
The company said that the upgrade of the line has been accelerated due to the increasing frequency of high winds and gales across of the south of Scotland which have caused significant problems to the network.
ScottishPower noted that the upgrade will also incorporate modern remote control and electrical protection systems which will significantly reduce the number of faults on the line. In many cases new remote systems are expected to allow ScottishPower to restore electricity supplies quickly without the need to dispatch linesmen and engineers.
Aileen Breen, ScottishPower’s project engineer, said: We have met with community councils in Sandhead, Stoneykirk and Ardwell to discuss the upgrade and we will be keeping them informed of our progress. Their assistance in the project has been very helpful and we thank them for their ongoing support during our operations.
