Hinkley connection, Shurton

The project was awarded in April 2020, with construction starting in February 2021, after receiving Development Consent Order (DCO) approval from the Local Planning Authority (LPA). 

To achieve the connection, the two circuits on the T-pylons needed to turn in, with one needing to cross over the existing Shurton to Bridgwater electricity line. As overhead lines should not cross over each other, that section was undergrounded. 

Works undertaken by our team included: 

• Upgrading 57 towers of the VQ overhead line and the realignment of two overhead lines near Stogursey and Bridgwater from 275kV to 400kV, to cater for the energy from the new Hinkley Point C power station to the whole Hinkley Connection route. 
• The construction of 13 new pylons to connect Hinkley C to the existing Overhead line near Stogursey and Bridgwater. 
• The construction of 4 new pylons to connect to enable the connection of T-pylons near Bridgwater to the new power station. 
• Conductor, earthwire and fittings replacement. 
• Install scaffolds to protect roads. 
• Deployment of Skysafe to protect M5 motorway, A38 Bristol Road, and railway lines. 
• Installation of access roads and working platforms to facilitate the construction of pylons. 
• Upgrade tower foundations to cater for new conductor on the existing VQ line. 
• Tower painting.

The project was awarded under a DCO (DCO) that required extensive interaction with local planning authorities and other stakeholders to gain approval before work could commence. 

The project started during Covid-19, which presented challenges including creating a resilience plan to make sure the project wasn’t impacted, as well as overcoming supply chain issues from overseas suppliers to meet the programme of works. 

The travel ban meant that our team was unable to travel to complete quality checks on the tower steels. Instead, these were completed on a video call. 

With the support of our supply chain partners, we rolled out innovative solutions using stabilised soil on access roads instead of traditional installation methods, reducing carbon emissions by 76%. 

Our eco-friendly solar powered welfare unit was also used on the project, reducing carbon emissions by 86% compared to previously used welfare cabins. 

The project is in its final phase. The temporary pylons were removed in late 2024. Construction works are almost complete, with the final stages set to finish by Spring 2025 and the T-pylons in this area will be energised in Summer 2025.

Once energised, the section of T-pylons will complete a new circuit, running between Hinkley and Melksham, to provide greater resilience across the network.