Works near completion at complex Bridgwater site
On Horsey Levels north of Bridgwater, the Hinkley Connection team have been undertaking complex engineering works to modify the electricity network and connect in the southern-most T-pylons on the route.
Construction activity, which began in 2019 has included:
- The removal of two existing pylons
- The construction of two cable sealing end compounds, where overhead electricity lines connect with underground electricity cables via rectangular gantry structures
- The undergrounding and energisation of a 400m section of the electricity transmission line that runs from Shurton substation to Bridgwater substation between those two cable sealing end compounds
- Construction of two new transmission pylons to connect into the new line of 400kV T-pylons between Horsey and the Huntspill River one of which is a rare, nine-armed pylon
- Construction of two temporary pylons to divert the electrical conductors (or wires) whilst the works were taking place
- Moving the temporarily diverted conductors into their permanent locations on the new pylons
- Removal of the temporary pylons
Why were the works needed?
This work was needed to connect the southernmost T-pylons on the Hinkley Connection, which run from Horsey to the Huntspill River, onto the electricity network.
To achieve the connection, the two circuits on the T-pylons needed to turn in and one had to cross over the existing Shurton to Bridgwater electricity line. For many reasons, including safety, overhead lines should not cross over each other, so that section of the route was undergrounded.
Once energised, the section of T-pylons will complete a new circuit running between Hinkley and Melksham and provide greater resilience across the network.
The removal of the temporary pylons on 29 November and 1 December, construction works are almost complete, with the final stages set to finish by Spring 2025 and the T-pylons in this area energised in the Summer.
