Noss Head HVDC Switching Station
Highlands, Scotland
Project synopsis
Platform earthworks, drainage design and public road improvement works for the Noss Head HVDC Switching Station
Contractor
R J McLeod
End client
SSE Networks
The switching station allows for electricity to be managed between three underground HV AC & DC circuits between multiple substations. Tony Gee carried out platform earthwork and drainage designs for the facility across a two-year period.
In order to connect with the Caithness-Moray HVDC system, a switching station was required within the vicinity of the planned cable landfall which is north of the village of Staxigoe in Caithness.
The switching station allows electricity to be managed between three underground HV AC & DC circuits between substations at; Spittal in Caithness, Blackhillock in Moray and Kergord in Shetland.
Tony Gee’s scope of work included:
- Constraint assessment for a sort list of 4 sites
- Scoping of surveys (topographical, UXO, Utilities & GI)
- Platform design including drainage and attenuation design
- Site access road and public road upgrades
- Scoping and supervision of GI contract
During the initial site assessment, we used InfraWorks to produce detailed 3D images of the building with associated bunding on the proposed site. Subsequently, we employed a Landscape Architect and, with the use of the model, the engineering design was developed to minimise the visual impact of the facility. The key aim was to integrate the earthwork screening into the adjacent landform.
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