Major milestone for National Grid substation in Somerset
National Grid Electricity Transmission has welcomed the successful energisation of its Shurton substation, part of its Hinkley Connection Project, which will eventually connect the first new nuclear power station in a generation to the UK electricity network.
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.
National Grid and principal contractors, Linxon began construction of Shurton substation in 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 is being constructed between Bridgwater and Avonmouth.
The National Grid team began the final stage of commissioning in 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 at the substation is finalising the installation of the series reactors and commissioning later this year.
The energisation of Shurton substation is a tremendous achievement by all involved and a significant milestone for both National Grid and Hinkley Point C.
James Goode, Project Director 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.”
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”
The 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.
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Helen Blake
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