ABB has started work on a £9 million contract for Northern Electrics’ distribution business, NEDL.
The contract involves the design and build of a replacement 132 kV interconnector substation at Norton near Stockton-on-Tees, which serves Teeside and the surrounding areas.

ABB suggested the use of an ELK-04 gas-insulated switchgear housed in an indoor building. This needs 25% of the space of comparative air insulated switchgear, so will free up land when the existing substation is decommissioned. A further advantage is downtime can be reduced as the new circuits can be constructed while the existing units are still in service; downtime is reduced to the re-routing of the network connections. The new system can also be constructed outside the existing live compound, reducing health and safety risks to personnel.

ABB is providing a complete design, construction and installation service for the new substation, which will have 20 bays of switchgear. It is due to be operational by the end of 2004.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor