Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has secured a c. £80 million 400kV electricity cable project in Dorset with National Grid. The project has been awarded as part of the four year Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) framework which Morgan Sindall Infrastructure was appointed to in 2016. It increases the value of works which the company has been awarded through the EPC framework this year to over £100 million.
This particular project is part of National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP) programme, which will make use of a £500 million provision made available by Ofgem until 2021 to reduce the visual impact of existing electricity transmission infrastructure in some of the most precious landscapes throughout England and Wales. This project is the first scheme to be delivered as part of National Grid’s VIP programme.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2019 on this complex project and will involve the design, construction, testing and commissioning of a new 8 kilometre 400kV double circuit underground cable system and associated works in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The project will also involve the removal of the existing overhead line and 22 pylons that form part of the existing landscape in the AONB.
Simon Smith, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure managing director, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the first of National Grid’s VIP projects. This award further strengthens our high voltage underground electricity cabling capability which has grown significantly over the past few years. We look forward to further enhancing our long term relationship with National Grid and delivering this complex and important scheme.”
Michelle Clark, senior manager VIP projects, from National Grid said: “This contract marks a major step forward in a unique opportunity to restore views from the Hardy Monument across Dorset AONB.
“The project has been driven by local and national organisations dedicated to conserving the landscape and countryside throughout England and Wales. We welcome Morgan Sindall Infrastructure on board and are looking forward to working with them as our delivery partner to turn the plans into a reality."