CASE STUDY - SWINFORD WIND FARM
SWINFORD WIND FARM
CASE STUDY
Jones Bros Civil Engineering was appointed by Vattenfall in 2011 to supply the balance of plant services, including cabling and electrical work, at Swinford Wind Farm, close to the Catthorpe Interchange, Leicestershire.
THE PROJECT
The project involved the construction of 11 2MW Vestas wind turbines with the associated site tracks, hard standing areas and a new sub station.
WORK INCLUDED… • Design and construction of site access tracks including gas pipeline protection works
• Construction of two new S278 highway entrances
• Engineered upfill works to all turbine foundations
• Construction of concrete turbines and crane pad foundations using locally sourced steel and concrete
• Construction of substation building • 6km of cable trenching • Electrical design and installation • Permanent met mast installation • Landscaping and reinstatement
LOCAL LABOUR
Throughout the contract Jones Bros utilised local labour and services as much as possible. This includes hiring of local plant to assist in the construction of access tracks and hard-standings and hiring of local equipment, including accommodation units, pumps and generators.
Huw Jones, Managing Director of Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, said: “We work across the UK and are passionate about the need to create an economic boost in the communities in which we work.”
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES An important aspect of the work involved addressing the environmental challenges that come with the construction of the access roads, crane pads and turbine foundations.
Everyone involved in the project was keen that all operations had the least impact possible on the surrounding environment, with extensive environmental and archeological surveys being carried out.
Environmental work included the improvement and creation of new habitats for wildlife, notably great crested newts.
Looking after wildlife on the construction site was also a major priority. For example when trenches were dug to lay cables, they were filled in immediately afterwards to minimise the risk of wildlife falling in.
BACKGROUND
Jones Bros has become one of the UK’s leading companies developing balance of plant services for wind farm developers and turbine manufacturers. The foundations for this expertise were laid when the family firm established techniques for constructing forestry access tracks in mid-Wales during the 1970s.
Since then the company has amassed a great deal of experience in managing the complex logistics of working over large expanses in remote areas. Its engineers have developed a thorough understanding of the special requirements of projects involving the construction of access roads to accommodate abnormal loads, turbine foundations, substation buildings and electrical infrastructure.
LARGEST CONTRACT
Their largest wind farm contract to date involved 60 turbines (140MW), with its on-site batching plant ensuring maximum flexibility and preventing many heavy vehicle journeys. In fact the batching plant proved to be such a great asset that the company has since invested in a second one.
Engineers also constructed a £1m eco- control centre at the site and the entire contract was successfully completed within schedule despite delays caused by the worst winter in half a century.
Jones Bros
100
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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