First T-pylons built between Sandford and Portbury
Two of the 68 T-pylons to be constructed along the northern section of the Hinkley Connection between Sandford and Portbury have been erected in Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
The T-pylons in the reserve took priority in the construction programme to avoid disturbance to wintering birds and other wildlife throughout the winter. T-pylon components for the remaining 66 structures are being delivered to sites this autumn, ready to be fit onto foundations which are already in place.
The T-pylons will join a line of 27 traditional lattice pylons being built in Avonmouth, where work started in July, to make the final connection into the substation at Seabank - the northernmost point of the Hinkley Connection.
We expect all the lattice and T-pylons between Sandford and Avonmouth, a combined total of 95 new pylons, to be complete, including hanging of the conductors (or wires) by early 2024.
In the same year, the line of existing 132,000 volt pylons that runs from Sandford to Avonmouth will be removed to reduce the visual impact of the new pylons that’ll carry low carbon energy and help the UK meet its net zero ambitions. National Grid is removing 249 existing pylons in total as part of the project.
48 T-pylons between Bridgwater and Loxton are already in position with the wires installed ready for energisation. As is the 400,000 volt underground cable under the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
2022 has been a really productive year
Aden Precious, Project Manager for National Grid said, "2022 has been a productive year for our project team and our contractors. The underground cables under the Mendip Hills between Loxton and Sandford have been installed, as have the new pylons and overhead line along the southern section of the Hinkley Connection route. Now our focus is building the final part of the new overhead connection between Sandford and Avonmouth.
"On behalf of everyone working on the project, I’d like to thank the communities we’ve been working alongside for their patience and understanding while we progress this vital work to connect six million homes and businesses to new sources of homegrown, low carbon energy."
