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As part of the EPC major underground circuits framework, National Grid was required to provide Network Rail with an 88MVA BSP connection to support the electrification of the Great Western Mainline. Melksham is one of the supply points for the London to Cardiff line.
The project was to provide and install a fully ducted double circuit 66kv cable system. The route predominantly runs through agricultural land, comprising fields and watercourses. A key challenge was to lay the cable in an efficient and sustainable manner whilst
The challenge faced was how to dig, lay 10.4km of cable, and reinstate the cable trench in an efficient and sustainable manner with the highest standards of health and safety.
Murphy devised, designed and fabricated a bespoke pipe laying system for this project. The ‘safe dig technology’ eliminated the need for operatives to enter the trench and didn’t require wooden trench support. This technology allowed up to 700m of ducting to be laid per day, reducing the health and safety risks to operatives and also the overall time needed to complete the job by 70%.
Other innovations included onsite batching of cement bound sand (CBS) and the introduction of an aluminium conductor works. The CBS was delivered in bulk from a local source and batched on site using a mobile batching plant, this reduced transport movements, wastage and down-time as fewer trips were required to and from site.
Murphy provide the UK and Ireland with solutions across many areas of power, including overhead and underground cross-country cabling, substations, rail infrastructures and renewable energy infrastructures. Our power team is known for its extensive in-house expertise and continual drive to innovate within the industry.