Client: Vattenfall AB
Value: £25.73M
Consultant: SWECO
Completed: 2016
The project, which commenced in July 2015, was for a 16-turbine wind farm (3.5MW Senvion turbines) and included the construction/upgrading of site tracks, construction of new site junction, turbine foundations, crane hardstandings, control building and piped culverts. The 24km of contestable grid connection works that were also part of the contract included horizontal directional drilling below Hadrian’s Wall and the North Tyne River.
Key Issues:
• Successfully managed for 61 no. protected species along the route
• Archaeological constraints – protection of various cairns, mine shafts and a 400 BC roundhouse
• Direction drilling under Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site
• Working in difficult weather conditions (rainfall in December 2015 was 300% above the monthly average)
• Close liaison with landowners and tenants
• Difficult access to both open moorland and minor roads throughout Northumberland
• Construction through challenging ground conditions requiring specialist activities such as ground penetrating radar, grouting and well pointing
Principal Elements included:
New / upgraded site tracks 13km
Grid connection works 24km
Ducting (HV cables) 150,000m
Ducting (fibre) 35,000m
