Bicker Fen Substation Works

Project description

Over the next few years we’ll invest in new equipment at Bicker Fen substation. The work is an important part of Innogy Renewables’ plans to connect new low-carbon energy supplies from their proposed Triton Knoll wind farm to the National Grid network.

National Grid owns and operates the high voltage electricity system in England and Wales. It’s our responsibility to allow new sources of energy to connect to our system so we can all benefit from the electricity they generate.

We need to install some additional equipment within the existing substation site. This is so we can connect the wind farm to the National Grid network. The new equipment we’re installing includes connection bays, isolator bays and switches.

We started work in September 2018. We’ll first carry out repairs to the surface of the existing access track, which runs from the A52 Donington Road to Ing Drove. We expect to complete all our work in time to provide supplies to Triton Knoll in February 2020.

Please note, this work won’t affect electricity supplies in the area.

We’re committed to being a good neighbour and will continue to do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum. We’ve put in place a marshalling system so construction vehicles don’t have to pass one another on single track roads. Our strict traffic management plan for construction vehicles will keep construction traffic out of Bicker village. We’ll regularly use a road sweeper to keep Ing Drove, Cowbridge Road and Vicarage Drove clean.

What’s happening with Triton Knoll?

Triton Knoll is being developed by Innogy Renewables, which has been granted permission for this new wind farm off the Lincolnshire coast.

Work schedule

The work will take place in four phases:

1. September 2018 - works to improve the surface of the existing private access track which runs from the A52 to Ing Drove. This work is expected to take 4-6 weeks to complete. Preparation work at the substation, including deliveries of stone and temporary site offices.
    

2. October 2018 – February 2019 – creating foundations for the new equipment (known as piling) and minor civil works. We’ll use a quieter technique, known as continuous flight auger (CFA), when doing piling work, rather than driven piles.  
    

3. March - November 2019 – deliveries of mechanical and electrical kit and assembling on site. Electrical completion is due in November 2019. We’ll also remove the temporary site offices at this time.
    

4. February 2020 – Return to connect Triton Knoll Windfarm.
    

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National Grid Community Grant Programme

Our Community Grant Programme is aimed at organisations and charities in areas where National Grid’s work impacts on local people through our operations and site activities.

We fund projects run by charities and community groups that meet local community needs by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits that are impacted by National Grid and its operations. If your project meets our criteria you can apply for a grant of up to £10,000. To find out more click here.