The significant project will involve crews replacing power poles, powerlines and electrical infrastructure in the town and the installation of new switches to provide more flexibility for crews when performing future maintenance or upgrades.

Regional general manager Brian Mclean said the upgrade was part of Country Energy’s ongoing commitment to ensure the network is meeting the needs of customers throughout the Mid North Coast.

“Crews will replace 26 power poles along Durham Street and two kilometres of powerlines with larger and thicker aluminium cable – proven to be more reliable and able to carry a higher load of electricity to meet the anticipated increase in demand,” Mr Mclean said.

“We will also move a substation down the street to improve supply and install a set of links which allow our crews to segment the network, minimising planned supply interruptions when we are working on the network in the future.”

Work on the upgrade has commenced with crews utilising live line techniques to limit the number of required planned supply interruptions customers will experience.

“Live line techniques involve crews working on powerlines while they remain energised, keeping the power on for customers, however, to complete the project safely a small number of interruptions will be necessary,” Brian said.

Interruptions will occur on both Tuesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 29 to allow crews to safely replace powerlines and electrical equipment – extra crews from the surrounding field service centres will also assist Dungog crews on the day.