A major project to boost power supplies for homes and businesses across the north west of Cambridge, and allow its principal university to grow, is underway.
The £7.5m scheme is being led by UK Power Networks, which distributes electricity across the East of England, in partnership with the University of Cambridge.
It will see new transformers, equipment which steps the voltage down so electricity can be safely delivered, installed in the Madingley Road area to bring extra power, supplying the equivalent of up to 2,500 homes.
It will also include new switchgear at a major electricity substation in Histon to boost infrastructure serving the north west of Cambridge.
This project is part funded by the university, to help power its new £300m Cavendish III building (Ray Dolby Centre) for world-leading physics research and teaching.
Ravi Visrolia, project manager for UK Power Networks, said: “This important work will make power supplies more reliable, as it increases the capacity available to the area.
“The first of the new transformers has now arrived and we have already reinforced a large section of cabling so we are ahead of schedule to meet the university’s new requirements.
“This major connection project is significant in that it enables one of the city’s main employers to grow while at the same time being of long-term benefit to local residents.”
Matt Allen, project director from the University of Cambridge, said: “The new Cavendish III building is a significant project for the university and a major investment to provide state-of-the-art facilities and specialised research equipment.
“It replaces outdated facilities and will bring the large number of research groups in the Department of Physics under one roof to strengthen its global reputation for groundbreaking science which has produced 30 Nobel prizes to date.
“We are delighted to be partnering with UK Power Networks to ensure a safe and reliable connection for its power supply that will have the pleasing additional benefit of improving the electricity capacity for neighbouring homes and businesses.”
