National Grid Electricity Transmission has welcomed the successful energisation of its Shurton substation, part of its Hinkley Connection Project, which will eventually connect the first new nuclear power station in a generation to the UK electricity network.
The substation sits adjacent to the Hinkley Point C construction site and is now transferring energy from Taunton substation to Shurton. Later this year it will also back feed electricity to support the construction of the new power station.
Once Hinkley Point C is completed, Shurton substation will connect the first new nuclear power station in a generation to the UK electricity network – connecting 6m homes and businesses to low carbon energy.
National Grid and principal contractors Linxon began construction of Shurton substation in 2019. Morrison Energy Services has constructed the connecting overhead lines to link the substation to the existing network and, ultimately, the new Hinkley connection high voltage electricity line that is being constructed between Bridgwater and Avonmouth.
The National Grid team began the final stage of commissioning in May, which included the energisation of the substation, operational checks, testing of the equipment and the testing of the circuits. The next stage of construction at the substation is finalising the installation of the series reactors and commissioning later this year.
The substation is one of two brand new substations that are being built as part of the Hinkley Connect Project. The other substation is located near Sandford and is due for completion in 2023.
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