UK National Grid Modular Enclosure

Our client for this project, a leading international infrastructure group, secured a contract to lead the extension of a major UK substation, which will enable new sources of electricity generation (including new wind farms) to connect to the national grid.

As part of the expansion, the substation required new distribution and control switchgear in order to accommodate the increased capacity. The critical new equipment needed to be housed in a secure, purpose-built steel enclosure, to ensure its safety, operational effectiveness, and ease of use and maintenance.

ADE were contracted to design and manufacture:

• A bespoke 2-section modular enclosure: To house the switchgear and auxiliary equipment.
• A substructure: To accommodate and protect the switchgear cabling leading into and out from the enclosure.
• Platforms and stairs: To allow personnel access to the enclosure.

The enclosure, totalling 17 metres long, 5.5 metres wide, and 4 metres high, was designed and manufactured to be fire rated for 60 minutes, and fitted out with security rated doors, earthing, lighting, ventilation systems, fire and intruder detection, and other small power.

Both modules of the enclosure and the substructure were manufactured to BS EN 1090 execution class 2, and coated in C4 paint for environmental protection.

Following a full factory acceptance test including electrical testing, all elements of the project were delivered to site, positioned, joined, secured, sealed, and tested, ready for installation of the switchgear units by our client’s engineers.