A TYNESIDE engineering company has been appointed to lead a huge upgrade of the electrical power distribution system in the North-East.

PB Power, which is based on Newcastle Business Park, has been appointed owner's engineer by Northern Electric Distribution Ltd (NEDL) for the £35m project.

As part of its improvement programme, NEDL has identified 28 projects which will enhance the performance of the distribution system.

It will include the refurbishment of substations, transformers, tower lines and power cables as well as installing new ones.

As owner's engineer, PB Power will manage the delivery of the projects for NEDL and will act as planning supervisor.

PB Power projects director Steve Duffy said: "This close working relationship is intended to provide benefits to NEDL's customers for many years to come."

PB Power is an international consultancy, which provides comprehensive power engineering and management services to developers, governments and contractors across the globe.