More power to people

By Paul Pickering
RESIDENTS and businesses of the foothills will benefit from a more reliable power supply in coming months with the refurbishment and expansion of SP AusNet’s Ferntree Gully zone substation.
The rewards of the upgrade will be reaped by 19,000 customers, including residents of Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Tecoma, Belgrave and Mountain Gate.
SP AusNet spokeswoman Alice Thorpe said: “The network upgrade will improve both the quality and reliability of electricity supply for the region, so it’s great news for customers.”
The upgrade is a response to research identifying an increased electricity demand in the region.
“We have noticed a marked increase in energy use in residential areas, especially during the summer months due to air conditioners,” Ms Thorpe said.
“We need to be responsive and proactive to ensure customers have a reliable supply of electricity into the future.”
The works include a newly built switch room with a new transformer and state-of-the-art high voltage circuit breakers and protection equipment.
Ms Thorpe said the increased capacity provided by the new transformer would also cater for increased demand during peak periods.
High voltage circuit breakers and protection equipment such as pole-top switches will assist in locating and isolating faults.
“This is helpful when, for example, a tree falls on a power line,” Ms Thorpe noted.
“It will also enable power to be restored more quickly when people do lose supply.”