A POWER network operator is set to commence their multi-million pound project to upgrade Cumbria's power network, with hopes of preparing the foundations for the North to be closer to a net-zero future. 

Electricity North West will begin installing 10km of underground electricity cables as part of its £2m scheme in Carlisle - which will see the project start at Kingmoor Park, progressing along Parkhouse Road towards Todhills Servicest, alongside the M6 before finishing in Westlinton. 

The project is part of Electricity North West’s commitment to lead the North West to net zero by increasing the size of the power network to cope with increases expected from things like electric vehicles.

In addition to 10km of cables,  engineers will be drilling under the M6 motorway so that it will also offer points of connection for electrical charging points on both the North & Southbound services on the M6 at Todhills.

Chris Reilly, who is overseeing the work in Carlisle for Electricity North West, said: "We’re pleased to be shortly getting underway for what will be a major project for the city.

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"The new electricity cables will benefit thousands of people and businesses as the new circuits will help create extra capacity in the area.

"As the country moves away from traditional fossil fuels for things like heating and transport everyone will be using more electricity for electric heat pumps and electric vehicles. We estimate that by 2030 there will be over 1m electric vehicles on the North West’s roads, compared to just 20,000 today.

"That’s why it’s important we provide a reliable power network to meet the growing demand, so customers are in a position to adopt low carbon technologies," he said. 

The project is set to start from May 23 and hopes to be finished later this year. 

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