Spencer Group’s Spencer Building and Civil Engineering division has been appointed to deliver groundworks and enabling works for extensions to two key substations in Yorkshire and Merseyside.
The projects will enable the substations to connect two new battery storage facilities, which will provide a combined battery storage capacity of 185.5 MW. As the UK transitions to using more renewable energy, such as wind and solar, battery storage facilities can help provide greater flexibility across the electricity system by storing electricity for use when it is needed.
Both projects were awarded after Spencer Group was named on National Grid’s Project Civils Framework which supports the delivery of infrastructure projects required to upgrade and expand the electricity network.
The project at Bradford West substation in West Yorkshire will see Spencer Group deliver specialist groundworks to enable National Grid to extend the substation infrastructure.
The experienced team will deliver grouting works, and fill in underground legacy coal seams, voids and any unstable ground, which will pave the way for National Grid to carry out future civils works on the site connecting the existing substation to a new battery storage facility.
As part of the project, the Spencer Building and Civil Engineering team will also carry out temporary works to enable safe and secure access to the site.
Works began on site in mid-June and are expected to be completed by the Autumn.
Over in Merseyside, Spencer Group will deliver the first phase of a project to extend the substation at the Rainhill substation in St Helens, with the team constructing a new substation platform.
The project will include foundations for a new transformer and associated infrastructure works, construction of a new access road around the perimeter of the substation, and installation of electric fencing.
Work on site will begin during the summer and is expected to be complete by early 2027.
Project Manager Paul Harrison said: “Both projects involve working within logistically complex and safety critical environments, which we are highly experienced in.
“We’ve previously delivered a number of projects within live operational environments and have extensive experience of delivering works safely and efficiently in complex operational settings.
“Our colleagues already have extensive training and knowledge of working in these environments, and they’ve also recently taken part in additional training and upskilling delivered by National Grid as part of our preparations for the project.
“We’re also highly experienced in delivering multi-stakeholder projects which require exceptional communication and team work, which makes us the perfect contractor to deliver these projects.”
Delivery Director, Rob Bratherton added: “We’re delighted to be working with National Grid on these projects at Bradford West and Rainhill. The works will help create the infrastructure needed to connect new battery storage facilities, and we look forward to delivering them safely and efficiently in partnership with National Grid.”
Mark Brindley, Construction Director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “These works at Bradford West and Rainhill are an important part of the investment we’re making to maintain, upgrade and develop the electricity transmission network, increasing network capacity and creating the infrastructure needed for new connections. We look forward to working with Spencer Group to deliver these important upgrades.”
