Transformers which supply a third of island’s power could have new home
NEW electricity transformers will be installed behind Beau Sejour if a planning application by Guernsey Electricity is successful.
These will replace two transformers that are now 30 years old and which supply around a third of the island’s power.
The transformers are currently in a residential area of Les Amballes, St Peter Port, and cannot be replaced or upgraded on that site.
The new location would be at the far end of the access road that runs past the entrance to the concourse and near the children's play area.
GEL said the new equipment would ‘improve resilience in the local network and provide enhanced capacity to meet a more electric future’. Plans were due to be submitted yesterday or today and a GEL spokesman said the company would be going out to tender for the work.
‘The new equipment supplies around a third of our customers so this work is really important to future proof the supply of electricity on the island,’ said GEL head of asset management Stuart Blondel.
‘This new location was found to be the most suitable option as it offers the least disruption to community activities and infrastructure whilst being appropriately positioned to be able to supply electricity to customers in the locality.’
A secure compound, designed to be sympathetic to the surroundings, would be built to house the new transformers and GEL has worked with Environment Guernsey to identify initiatives to support existing wildlife and encourage biodiversity in the surrounding area.
‘For this project, the planting of native trees and plants, as well as installing bird boxes and bat boxes, will aim to increase the biodiversity to the local area and improve habitats for existing wildlife,’ said Mr Blondel.
If the application is approved, work could start in the autumn and will take about a year, although GEL said this might change depending on the pandemic.
