Students learned about the hidden depths of National Grid at a recent presentation given by members of the Croydon Cable Tunnel Project team.

Members of the team gave a presentation on the £80m project to fifth and sixth formers at Trinity School in Croydon.

Students were given the low-down on the 10km tunnel which will help ensure people in London and the South East continue to enjoy safe, secure and reliable electricity supplies in the future.

Around 30 students attended the interactive presentation which allowed students to ask questions and get their hands on some real life Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cutting teeth and cables of the type which will transport electricity along the tunnel.

National Grid Project Manager Scott Sadler said: “It was great to tell the students about what we’re doing in their area and to give them a taste of what a career as an engineer can involve.

“Working for National Grid you’re helping to deliver a vital service and helping to keep the power flowing to homes and businesses. Our engineers work in varied environments such as up a pylon, in a control room or in the case of Croydon Cable Tunnel, underground.”

The tunnel connects existing substations at Rowdown and Beddington. The tunnelling phase of the project was completed last year and the cable installation process is currently underway. This should be complete by spring 2011. Testing operations will then commence and it is expected that the tunnel will go live in late 2011.

Placing the cable in a tunnel deep underground means National Grid will be able to conduct routine checks and maintenance without the need for road excavations. Additionally should the need arise in the future a second cable can be installed with minimum inconvenience.

National Grid is committed to keeping local communities informed of its work throughout the project.

For more information please call the National Grid Community Relations Team on 0800 389 8261.

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For further media information only, please contact Antony Quarrell, National Grid Media Relations, on 07810 853075.

National Grid
National Grid is an international electricity and gas company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We play a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to millions of people across Great Britain and northeastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. We believe the power of action can play a major role in safeguarding our global environment for future generations and tackling the effects of climate change, providing all our customers with the highest standards of service through network investment and through our talented, diverse workforce.

National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses.

National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.  

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