Shurton 400kV substation energised
National Grid is celebrating a key milestone in the construction of Shurton substation in Somerset, with the successful energisation of the facility on 2 June.
The substation sits adjacent to the Hinkley Point C construction site and is now transferring energy from Taunton substation to Shurton. Later this year it will also back feed electricity to support the construction of the new power station.
Once Hinkley Point C is completed, Shurton substation will connect the first new nuclear power station in a generation to the UK electricity network – connecting 6 million homes and businesses to low carbon energy.
This is a significant milestone for National Grid and Hinkley Point C
National Grid and principal contractors, Linxon began construction of Shurton substation in June 2019. Morrison Energy Services have constructed the connecting overhead lines to link the substation to the existing network and, ultimately, the new Hinkley Connection high voltage electricity line that National Grid is constructing between Bridgwater and Avonmouth.
Initial commissioning works, where new infrastructure is accepted onto the National Grid transmission network and energised, began in December 2021 with a pre-energisation schedule to make sure the new assets could be accepted onto the transmission system.
The team commenced the final stage of commissioning at the end of May which included the energisation of the substation, operational checks, testing of the equipment and the testing of the circuits.
The next stage of construction of Shurton substation is finalising the installation of the series reactors and commissioning later this year. These series reactors, which were delivered to the site in March will stabilise the transmission system when the generator circuits are connected. The connection of the generator circuits will see the low carbon energy flow into the transmission system and achieve the most significant milestone on the Hinkley Connection Project.
James Goode, Project Director for National Grid said: “The energisation of Shurton substation is a tremendous achievement by all involved and a significant milestone for both National Grid and Hinkley Point C.
“The energy running through the substation supports Hinkley Point C’s programme of works in readiness for the connection of both generators in the future, when 6 million UK homes and businesses will benefit from low carbon energy from the first new nuclear power station in a generation.”
Paul Walker, Hinkley Point C’s Senior Project Manager for Power & Transmission Systems, said: “This marks important progress towards our delivering low carbon power to millions of consumers and it is great to see this achieved safely and efficiently by National Grid and Linxon. It also highlights the fantastic working relationship between Hinkley Point C and National Grid that contributed to Shurton and the success of the wider Hinkley Connection Project and bodes well for future generator connections.”
Derek Duggan, Managing Director of the UK & Central Europe region in Linxon added: “We are glad to have been entrusted with this important project. Our project team, in close collaboration with National Grid, achieved more than 1000 safe working days with no accidents during the entire site operations”
Shurton Substation is one of two brand new substations that are being built as part of the Hinkley Connect Project. The other substation is located near Sandford and is due for completion in 2023.
