Work to install the conductors - a process known as stringing - was started in January between the 27 newly built lattice towers that take the Hinkley Connection through Bristol Port land, over the River Avon, through Avonmouth and into Crooks Marsh to connect with Seabank substation.
To minimise disruption to local businesses in Avonmouth’s industrial area where the stringing was taking place, National Grid contractors Balfour Beatty adopted a new technique which uses a pulley system rather than installing scaffolding.
Members of the Winscombe and Sandford RNLI fundraising branch were treated to their first quiz night in three years on 28 January 2023 following a hiatus caused by the COVID pandemic. The event was a huge success, raising a grand total of £1800 for the important lifeboat charity.
Thanks in part to the £300 of National Grid community funding, people attending on the night were able to enjoy a challenging quiz, a ploughman's supper and a raffle. In total a group of over 140 people took part in the fun-filled evening, making it a fabulous return for the annual event.
We recently lifted the lid on the grid to show motorcycle racing star turned TV presenter Guy Martin how it all works as part of his new Channel 4 series on Britain’s energy system.
A team of our overhead line monitoring experts at our Eakring training facility showed Guy the ropes – literally – to help him climb a de-energised pylon and carry out some maintenance work.
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The company’s five subsea cables, which connect GB with France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Norway, have transported almost 12 percent more power than the same period last year, at an average of 91GWh per day.
National Grid said a total of 2.6TWh of power has been transported through its cables this January alone (figures 1-29 January) which is almost 12 percent more than the same time last year and 39 per cent higher than two years ago (January 2021).
National Grid's T-time challenge has been continuing and sees pupils across a range of local schools hide items in energy infrastructure for future generations to learn about their interest, hobbies and lives.
The children from St Anne’s West Wick and Hewish sites placed their time capsules inside T-pylons along the northern section of the Hinkley Connection Project. The capsules will stay hidden before being uncovered and opened in 70 years’ time.
The specialist overhead line team from principal contractor, Balfour Beatty has been straight to work this year beginning crucial preparations for these activities, technically referred to as stringing.
In a move that has been welcomed by local businesses, Balfour Beatty have adapted the methodology for deploying their catenary pulling system for use in Avonmouth’s busy industrial area.
The energy regulator Ofgem confirmed in December that National Grid will be responsible for the delivery of 17 major onshore electricity transmission projects, which are critical to a more affordable, resilient and clean energy system. This investment is fundamental to the successful delivery of the decarbonization of our electricity system, and will also bring greater security of supply, as well as improved affordability for customers in the long run.