REPEATED power cuts across Basingstoke lasting seconds are because of a new 'self-restore' automation system, it has been confirmed.

Residents across the town have reported experiencing brief power cuts lasting just seconds in various areas, including Cranbourne, Popley and Brighton Hill.

A Basingstoke Gazette reporter said her lights kept flickering on and off several times throughout the day.

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Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has now provided an explanation as to why the power cuts keep happening.

It said they are because of the company’s electricity infrastructure automation system, which works to prevent power cuts.

The system detects potential power cuts on the network and quickly redirects the supply to the next nearest circuit, preventing any prolonged loss of power.

However, during this process, customers can experience these temporary outages, as the power is switched.

A spokesperson for SSEN said engineer work in the town is not related to the power cuts and that the network is operating well.

SSEN’s self-restore technology called Automated Power Restoration System (APRS) reached a major milestone ahead of the winter months following a £3.12 million investment, enabling customers’ power supplies to be restored faster than ever in the event of a power cut; generally in less than three minutes.

The system has been installed to more than 65 per cent of earmarked network sites and is scheduled to be completed by March 2023.

The system detects when and where there is a fault on the network and then, if safe to do so, either chooses the most suitable alternative cable circuit to switch supplies to or sends a signal to the main control room where engineers can restore power with the push of a button, all in a matter of minutes.

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Alex King, who oversees SSEN’s automation planning, said: “I’m delighted that SSEN has already installed this ‘self-restoring’ system to 166 of the 253 sites we had listed to benefit from APRS by the end of this financial year.

“We’re well on the way to completing the £3.17 million programme of works by March 2023, which will benefit hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across SSEN’s central southern England distribution area."

He added: “SSEN constantly looks for new and innovative ways to improve the electricity infrastructure to meet customers’ needs. As more local homes and businesses take up low-carbon technologies – such as electric vehicles, heat pumps and solar panels - SSEN is working to provide a network that is fit for the future.

“By investing in technology, such as APRS, SSEN is building in a further layer of resilience to electricity supplies; keeping power flowing to customers through an efficient and steady supply.”

While dramatically reducing the duration of unplanned power cuts, automation also means SSEN’s engineers can investigate the actual fault faster and resolve any network issues while power is still being supplied via alternative circuits.

APRS also reduces the need for engineers to physically switch power back on at source; thereby cutting unnecessary travel and allowing engineers and resources to be redirected to other areas of network maintenance.