CDP assesses performance using each company’s response to selected questions on governance, targets, scope 3 emissions, and value chain engagement. National Grid was placed on the leaderboard as a result of working directly with suppliers to reduce emissions and lower environmental risks in the supply chain.
Presented with the Gold award were Sadina Keogh, Chris Talbot and Stuart Stevens of Linxon (pictured) for demonstrating confidence, pride and resilience, by putting forward a business case to self-deliver civil works when a sub-contractor could no longer continue with the works. The team’s quick thinking avoided a potentially long wait to on board another subcontractor, which would have severely impacted the programme.
Opportunities for a net zero job
I joined the National Grid graduate scheme straight from university, with a degree in electrical engineering. Once I completed the graduate programme, I joined an asset management team that focused on underground cables and supporting teams out on the road.
New overhead lines
This year, we will complete the construction and connection of T-pylons between Bridgwater and Sandford substation, which involves hanging of the wires and energising them. Working with our contractors, Balfour Beatty, we have started work to build a new overheard connection between Sandford and Seabank substations as well, featuring T-pylons and also lattice pylons in Avonmouth.
In the first week of February, National Grid welcomed several aspiring engineers to the site of the Hinkley Connection Project to see, first-hand, how the project to provide the low-carbon energy of the future and power six million homes and businesses is being delivered.
The field is close to a number of homes with little to no outdoor space and is well used by families for their outdoor fun. The old play equipment, including a wooden Burma bridge and wobble board, was dated, uninspiring and in need of replacement.
Underground cables between Nailsea and Portishead
In August 2021, our contractors J Murphy and Sons finished installing 10.5 kilometres of 132 kV underground cables between the west end of Nailsea and Portishead substation. Laid out, these cables are a distance of 63 kilometres.
Building on this work, the team has since energised two circuits, meaning they are now in service.
National Grid contractors, Morrison Energy Services, have installed the transmission towers that are capable of carrying high-voltage energy, bringing the Hinkley Connection Project a step closer to connecting 6 million homes and businesses to low-carbon energy from the South West.
The team began construction works on the 13 pylons in February 2021, connecting the existing Hinkley Point B station to the new Shurton substation and realigning overhead transmission lines to it.
Since starting in February 2021, teams have pulled a total of 102km cables (the distance between Bridgwater and Gloucester). The cables were delivered on 108 separate cable drums. Each drum held approximately 1km of cable, weighed between 35-50 tonne and stood 5 metres high. Next follows a programme of jointing and testing, with energisation expected in Autumn this year. Reinstatement of the land is already underway on different parts of the route. The Mendip cables section of the Hinkley Connection Project will be fully complete by the end of 2024.