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Powersystems update on electrical works contracts for the 36 MW Pines Burn wind farm

June 30, 2023

Powering the transition to a carbon free future, Powersystems update on the progress at Pines Burn wind farm. This is a 36 MW onshore wind power subsidy free project, located on the Harwood Estate near Bonchester Bridge and Hawick in the Scottish Borders.

Powersystems have been assigned to undertake the electrical works for the 33 kV grid route, as the Principal Contractor appointed by the client Energie Kontor. And have also been appointed as subcontractor for the electrical balance of plant (EBoP) works for the turbines, by A E Yates. Pines Burn wind farm is being built near in two phases.

The first part of the project construction will be the installation of 7 x 4.5 MW Nordex turbines with tip heights between 130m and 149.9m delivering a total installed capacity (TIC) of 33.6 MW. The next phase includes 4 additional turbines to be added increasing the overall generation capacity of the wind farm to over 50 MW.  The development will be operational for a 25-year period, post completion of the construction, first phase of the project is expected to be commissioned in 2023.

The Powersystems expert team and project partners have risen to the challenge to over come the works on the grid route, which has been demanding, not only for it’s length as it is approximately 16 km long with 7 km underground cables as well as 9 km of overhead line divided into 3 sections, and also because the grid route has involved a 195m long horizontal directional drilling through a complex geological setting which has been successfully completed.  

The team moving the overhead poles into the challenging grid route.

For the EBoP works, this project has involved, supplying, installing, terminating and testing the 33 kV wind farm array cables, the 33 kV three panel board switchgear, a standby generator along with all substation’s electrical works and associated charger, LV panels, Aux Transformer, small power lighting, cabling etc.   

The Point of Connection is the SPEN 33 kV substation at Hawick GSP. A standalone connection substation is being built for the switching and protection of the grid route. It will also house the COP2 meters of the SPEN. The connection voltage is 33 kV. As part of a private wire connection, the 33 kV OHL/Ug grid route cable connection is terminated at the incoming terminals of the wind farm switchgear.

Once operational in the second half of 2023, the facility will produce green electricity equal to the annual consumption of more than 23,200 households. It is expected to offset 0.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions during its lifetime.

As part of building the UK carbon free future, Powersystems proudly support the design, installation, and commissioning of climate restoration technologies with connectivity in all renewable sectors.
Powersystems are powering the UK to a green recovery, with 6 GW of installed green energy as they play their part helping to decarbonise the National Grid.

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Powersystems are powering the transition to a carbon free future

As a high voltage specialist electrical engineering company with over 46 years (1977-2023) experience Powersystems have grown by reputation to become a trusted force in the design, installation and commissioning of electrical infrastructure across the UK.

Celebrating 26 years as the first Lloyds National Electricity Registration Scheme ‘s accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP), Powersystems are capable of delivering contestable grid connections at voltages up to 132 kV.

Since 2000, Powersystems have connected over 6 Gigawatts of renewable energy generation to the UK electricity grid, along with decarbonisation technology which includes; wind energy projects, solar, anaerobic digestion, hydroelectric, electrical vehicle infrastructure, short term operating reserve STOR, combined heat and power (CHP), Grid stability projects like rotating stabilisers,  and battery energy storage systems (BESS) as well as commercial industrial private wire networks.

Working with partners, delivering sustainable power solutions, proudly the Powersystems high voltage specialist team have connected 30% of all U.K. onshore wind farms.

At the core of the operation is a commitment to the highest values of health and safety, welfare, quality and the environment. Powersystems Integrated management systems are ISO accredited and their approach under their health and safety ‘Priority No.1’ brand is to aim for the best industry practice in all.

Powersystems UK Ltd. is an Employee-Owned Business and as such has a keen interest in the well-being of all its employees. They encourage and empower you to be imaginative, share great ideas and be involved in the success of the business.

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