Investing in the

electricity network
Bodmin 2017/18
Contacts in your area
Somerset: Bodmin:
Christian Hjelm Mike Rogers
01823 348571 01208 892239
[email protected] [email protected]
Venture Way, Priorswood Ind Estate, Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1DE
Taunton, TA2 8DE
Bristol:
Devon: Gywn Jones
Paul Elsen 0117 933 2145
01392 352550 [email protected]
[email protected] Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol, BS2 0TB
Osprey Road, Sowton, EX2 7WP
North Devon:
Mendip: Andy Manning
Neil Patten 01271 347720
01761 405130 [email protected]
[email protected] Victoria Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 8PR
Radstock Road, Midsomer Norton,
Bath, BA3 2AA West Cornwall:
Jon Nesbitt
and
01209 616742
1 Warne Road, Winterstoke, [email protected]
Commercial Centre, Weston-super-Mare, Trevenson Road, Pool, Redruth, TR15 3RF
Somerset, BS23 3UU
Plymouth:
Chris Garnsworthy
01752 502006
[email protected]
Elliot Road, Prince Rock, Plymouth, PL4 0SD
 Meet your local team

I’m Mike Rogers, the Distribution Manager for Why I am writing to you
Bodmin. We cover an area from Boscastle down
Western Power Distribution (WPD) is investing
the north coast to Newquay and crossing the
£7.1 billion in the electricity distribution network
south coast from Rame Head down to Gorran
between 2015 and 2023. This investment will go
Haven which includes the towns of Liskeard,
into reinforcing the existing network, improving
Bodmin, St Austell and Newquay, to mention
network reliability, providing additional capacity
but a few. The Bodmin network is a variety of
and upgrading equipment.
rural and urban, comprising over 4,100 km of
overhead line, 1,700 km of underground cables We want to make sure that all of our
and 6,983 substations, which we aim to keep stakeholders are aware of the changes and
working efficiently in order to keep the lights on improvements being made, particularly in their
for our 133,000 customers. local area.
I lead a team of 126 staff, which includes This brochure details the investment in the
craftspeople, planners, technicians, wayleaves Bodmin electricity network that WPD is making
officers, specialists, managers and a new intake and specifically some of the local projects that
of apprentices every year. We are located in are being undertaken or have been completed
Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin, PL31 1DE. If you wish by my team this year.
to discuss our investment with me, or my team,
please get in touch using the details opposite.

Western Power Distribution has:

7.8m
Over
220,000km
customers
of overhead
lines and 6,500
underground
cables
£7.1bn staff
network
investment
55,000km between 2015
covered and 2023
Who we are and what we do

Western Power Distribution (WPD) is a Distribution Network Operator (DNO). This

means we are responsible for the network of underground cables, overhead lines and
substations that distribute electricity to customers’ homes and businesses every day.

Our key responsibilities

l Operate the distribution network assets effectively to keep the lights on.
l Maintain our assets to ensure they remain in a reliable condition.
l Fix our assets if they get damaged or are faulty.
l Upgrade the existing networks or build new ones to provide additional electricity supplies
and capacity for our customers.
l We are not an electricity supplier (the company who looks after your meter and sends bills).

Where we operate
WPD covers the East and
West Midlands, South West
England and South Wales.
In the South West, we have
depots in Bodmin, Bristol,
Devon, Plymouth, Redruth,
Sowton, Taunton and
Weston-Super-Mare.
WPD investment
Our network covers densely populated DNO out of six in the UK to have its Business
residential areas and widely dispersed rural Plan ‘fast-tracked’. This allowed us to
communities, from the Wash in Lincolnshire maximise and secure our investment funding
down through South Wales and to Land’s End early. In 2015-2023 we have committed to
and the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall. The diversity investing £7.1 billion in our network while
of our network can cause a variety of issues reducing charges to customers by an average
across the distribution area. This, combined of 13%. This results in a total investment of
with the age of the network (a large proportion £1.71 billion in the South West network.
of our assets were built in the 1960s) and recent
environmental challenges, means we will need
to invest more than ever to keep our network In 2018, WPD is investing
efficient and reliable in order to keep the approximately

£12 million
lights on.
Our Business Plan outlines our investment
commitments until 2023 and was submitted to
in Bodmin
our regulator, the Office of Gas and Electricity
Markets (Ofgem), in 2015. WPD was the only
Project types
Due to the diversity of our network, various issues arise which must all be
dealt with. This requires a range of engineering solutions to keep our network
running. These solutions can be categorised as follows:

Asset replacement
Directly changing our network assets, usually
due to condition or age.

Reinforcement
Upgrading our network to deal with
increased demand.

Cable undergrounding
Replacing an overhead line with an underground cable
for either safety or environmental reasons.

Worst served customers

Improving the network for those with the most outages
(over 12 outages in three years).

Resilience
Mitigating against the effects of adverse weather;
building flood defences, tree trimming, etc.

Cable diversions
Moving the cable in the ground due to
new building works.
Project locations
WPD is constantly carrying out works to This brochure will detail a selection of
maintain and improve the network, yet the the projects that are planned and being
large one-off projects that we commission completed in 2017 and 2018 in the Bodmin
by looking at the entire network tend to get area. The map below shows the locations of
reported more often. However, we believe that those projects.
the smaller, local projects are just as important
For information on works in the rest of the WPD
and therefore could be reported to the
area, please contact us or visit our website.
customers affected in the local area.

6 5

1
7
8

4
3 2

1. Bodmin
2. Torpoint
3. Fowey
4. Fraddon
5. Padstow
6. Trevose
7. East Cornwall
8. East Cornwall &
surrounding areas
 Projects in Bodmin

Bodmin Liskeard
Bodmin Torpoint

Total spend: £55,000 Total spend: £43,000

Customers affected: 202 Customers affected: 105
Start quarter: Q1 2018 Start quarter: Q2 2018
End quarter: Q1 2018 End quarter: Q2 2018
Duration: 1 week Duration: 1 week
Details: Replacement of the local 11kV distribution Details: Replacement of the local 11kV
substation at Pool Street, Bodmin. distribution substation at Picklecombe Fort,
Customer benefits: Local substation replaced Maker, Torpoint.
due to age and condition to ensure the future Customer benefits: Replacing local substation
security and reliability of the electricity supplies in will ensure that electricity supplies in the area
the area. remain secure and reliable in future.
Projects in Bodmin

St Austell Duration: 20 weeks

Details: Following an 11kV cable fault and
Fowey challenges due to the location of the cable
that was installed in 1937, the cable is being
diverted into the existing highway.
Customer benefits: The cable diversion
Total spend: £83,000 includes the installation of 1,000m of new
Customers affected: 256 185mm EPR cable, which replaces the old
Start quarter: Q4 2017 cable to provide improved network reliability
End quarter: Q1 2018 and security.

INVESTING IN THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK 9

 Projects in Bodmin

Newquay replacement of the old substation switchgear and

transformer at the same time to avoid any future
Fraddon disruption to traffic.
Customer benefits: WPD is replacing a large
number of assets on the network due to condition
or age, including 11kV distribution substations,
Total spend: £400,000 to ensure that network reliability and security is
Customers affected: 2,401 maintained.
Start quarter: Q2 2018
End quarter: Q2 2018
Duration: 4 weeks Trevose
Details: This project involves the
replacement of 76 wood poles and
approx. 6km of aluminium overhead
conductors and associated insulators Total spend: £132,000
and fittings and is funded by WPD. Customers affected: 29
Customer benefits: Completion of Start quarter: Q3 2018
this project will provide improvements End quarter: Q4 2018
and ensure the continuing network Duration: 4 weeks
performance and reliability of the 33kV Details: Removal of approx. 1km of overhead line,
network. and pole-mounted substations to be replaced
with underground cable and ground-mounted
transformers at Trevose Head, Padstow in
Padstow consultation with the National Trust.
Customer benefits: This location is in an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and has been
identified as a location for the removal of overhead
Total spend: £44,000 lines by the AONB steering group.
Customers affected: 160
Start quarter: Q1 2018
End quarter: Q1 2018
Duration: 1 week
Details: A hotel requested a supply upgrade
that would involve work within the substation.
Due to the age of the assets, WPD funded the
Projects in Bodmin

INVESTING IN THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK 11

Projects in Bodmin

Whole area
East Cornwall

Total spend: £2,092,000

Customers affected: 5,320
Start quarter: Q2 2018
End quarter: Q2 2019
Duration: 1 year
Details: 1,085 wooden pole replacements over
the 33kV, 11kV and LV networks in the next year.
Customer benefits: WPD is replacing a large
number of wooden poles on the network due
to condition or age in order to maintain network
reliability and security.

East Cornwall & surrounding areas

Total spend: £412,000

Customers affected: 1,600
Start quarter: Q2 2018
End quarter: Q2 2019
Duration: 1 year
Details: 14 x 11kV distribution substations to be
replaced in the next year.
Customer benefits: WPD is replacing several
substations (switchgear, transformers and LV
cabinets) on the network due to condition or age;
this will ensure that network reliability and security
is maintained.
Major Projects in the South West

Bridgwater to Seabank Fraddon

Total spend: £1.4m Total spend: £6.5m

Customers affected: 72,199 Customers affected: 47,276
Start quarter: Q2 2016 Start quarter: Q1 2016
End quarter: Q2 2017 End quarter: Q2 2018
Duration: 1 year Duration: 2 years
Details: Upgrade to Churchill 132kV Details: Reinforcement of the grid transformers
substation, refurbishment of 132kV overhead and associated 132kV circuits was required. The
lines and protection changes at various final result will see two new grid transformers
substations. and some 132kV cable sections. We also
Customer benefits: Agreed as a target replaced the aged outdoor EHV substation.
project with Ofgem, the scheme delivered Customer benefits: The scheme will deliver
further opportunities for generation to be further opportunities for generation to be
connected in Devon and Cornwall. connected in Cornwall and a more reliable
network for many years to come.

Falmouth, Bickland Hill

Ilfracombe

Total spend: £1m

Customers affected: 12,469 Total spend: £600,000
Start quarter: Q3 2017 Customers affected: 9,306
End quarter: Q4 2017 Start quarter: Q1 2017
Duration: 6 months End quarter: Q4 2017
Details: Due to the age and condition of the Duration: 9 months
equipment, the two 33/11kV transformers and Details: Due to the age and condition of the
the 11kV switchgear have been replaced. equipment on site, the two 33/11kV transformers
Customer benefits: New, more modern were replaced in turn.
equipment will provide a more reliable supply Customer benefits: This will deliver a more
to the local area for many years to come. reliable and long-lasting network better able to
cope with any rising customer demand.
Major Projects in the South West

Old Green Windfarm

Budleigh Salterton

Total spend: £800,000

Customers affected: 1 Total spend: £320,000
Start quarter: Q2 2017 Customers affected: 2,375
End quarter: Q4 2017 Start quarter: Q2 2017
Duration: 9 months End quarter: Q3 2017
Details: Connecting a new 7MW wind farm Duration: 3 months
to the north of Bristol, the customer installed a Details: Due to the age and condition of the
new 132kV substation and WPD redirected an equipment, the 33/11kV transformers, 33kV
existing 132kV tower line. switch and 11kV switchgear were replaced.
Customer benefits: Supporting the move Customer benefits: New, more modern
towards further renewable generation with the equipment aided by being moved indoors will
connection of a wind power generation site. provide a more reliable supply to the local area.

Sherford Taunton

Total spend: £112,000 Total spend: £1.2m

Customers affected: 5,500 Customers affected: 10,658
Start quarter: Q1 2017 Start quarter: Q2 2015
End quarter: Q4 2017 End quarter: Q3 2018
Duration: 9 months Duration: 3 years
Details: WPD successfully connected a Details: Assets on site were ageing. EHV switchgear
new EHV substation to the east of Plymouth. and transformers were replaced with two new units
This will take the load required by the new able to transform more load. The replacement of the
Sherford development. HV switchgear will follow.
Customer benefits: Connecting supplies Customer benefits: Out of an abandoned old power
to a new community development with station site comes the sleek lines of a modern indoor
the potential to build 5,500 homes and the substation. Extra planned load increase has been
associated infrastructure. taken into account to benefit the local customers.
Innovation Projects in the South West

Electric Nation Equilibrium

Electric Nation is the The focus of Network
world’s biggest electric Equilibrium is to balance
vehicle project, running voltages and power flows
throughout the WPD across the distribution
area. The main aim is system to better configure the network. The project
to investigate the use of uses three methods:
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
and their impact on the l Enhanced Voltage Assessment (EVA)
electricity network. It will This develops a new network modelling tool
trial an innovative managed charging system for 33kV and 11kV networks. It allows better
allowing control over charging at peak times. visibility of time series power flows and voltage
profiles at 33kV and 11kV.
As the EV market increases in the UK, WPD l System Voltage Optimisation (SVO)
is looking to: SVO will dynamically adjust 33kV and 11kV
l understand the effects on the network of voltage profiles within the trial area. It will
charging various vehicle and battery types overcome the issue of fixed voltage points at
l understand how vehicle usage affects key substations by using telecommunications
charging behaviour and centralised network management software.
l evaluate the reliability and acceptability to l Flexible Power Links (FPL)
owners of EVs of demand control services The project will trial the use of novel power
and the influence these have on charging electronics to optimise the power flows
behaviour. between two different 33kV networks.
Flexible Power Links will be used for the first
Participating EV owners will be trialling a smart time by a GB Distribution Network Operator
charging system that will control the demand and will transfer both real and reactive power
from electric vehicles in the event of their load flows, on a dynamic basis, between previously
on the local electricity network being too high. unconnected networks.

The project began in April 2016 and will run The project is developing solutions that will be
until October 2019. For more details please demonstrated across Somerset and Devon and
visit the website: www.electricnation.org.uk is running from March 2015 until June 2019.
More information is available at
www.westernpower.co.uk/NEquilibrium
To report a power cut, call us on:

0800 6783 105

Tweet us: @wpduk

Facebook: Western Power Distribution

Email: [email protected]

www.westernpower.co.uk

Western Power Distribution (East Midlands) plc, No2366923

Western Power Distribution (West Midlands) plc, No3600574

Western Power Distribution (South West) plc, No2366894

Western Power Distribution (South Wales) plc, No2366985

Registered in England and Wales, Registered Office:

Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol BS2 0TB