National Grid Connah’s Quay 400kV substation – The design & build of a new 28 bay 400kV GIS substation and transferring of all incoming/outgoing circuits from Deeside substation. The project involved new high voltage electrical plant, 4.5km of Gas Insulated Line (GIB), 3 x 400 kV Super Grid Transformers, 9.3km of HV cables, 48 cable terminations, protection and control equipment, major civil, mechanical and electrical installation works and demolition works.

The project was awarded the CEO UK safety award for the Project Safety Performance category. The team’s fantastic achievement in reaching 950,000 man hours without a single LTI (Lost Time Incident), while interfacing with multiple customers and suppliers to meet the key milestones in our client’s largest substation project in the UK.

The scale of the achievement in winning the safety award becomes apparent when you consider the sheer size and complexity of the project. It is a tribute to the hard work, commitment and refusal to compromise on any aspect of safety demonstrated by every member of the team who has worked on Connah’s Quay over the years.

The new substation plays a vital role in the reinforcement of the high-voltage transmission infrastructure in North West of England. It facilitates the connection of new high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power links, such as Eirgrid’s East West Interconnector between the UK and Ireland. Western Link HVDC link between Scotland and North Wales and connections to other Gas Power generating stations.

The level of safety planning and coordination involved was challenging with up to 150 people working on the site and over 3,000 site safety inductions carried out.

Some vital aspects of the project include:

  • Interfacing and coordination with multiple stakeholders including; client, electrical distribution companies, over 20 sub-contracting organisations, Natural Resource Wales and the local community. Local schools were visited to raise awareness of the project and the importance of safety.
  • The significant risks associated with: major excavations, working at height, major plant movements, safety from the system, control of multi work fronts, lifting, demolition works, asbestos and underground services.
  • Creating a shared vision on Health & Safety, embracing the “Don’t look the other way” philosophy so that every member of the team took personal accountability for the safe delivery of the project.