National Grid has energised the second of three new electricity circuits connecting Dinorwig pumped storage power station to the transmission network in North Wales.
The latest milestone follows the energisation of the first new circuit in January last year and forms part of a wider project to reinforce the connection between Dinorwig and Pentir substation. That’s a key route in Wales, as Dinorwig Power Station is perhaps one of the UK’s best-known pumped storage plants and is able to provide fast-response power to stabilise the transmission network, but the infrastructure connecting the site to the grid currently dates back to when it opened in the 1970s.
That’s why the new upgrades are seen as key to ensuring that Dinorwig can continue to provide balancing services for decades to come. The project began in autumn 2021, with National Grid working alongside Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Siemens Energy, and if everything goes according to plan, the final circuit should be completed at the end of the year. That should allow for decommissioning of the old infrastructure to take place, which should all be completed by March 2028.
Alongside the new circuits, reinforcement works are continuing at Dinorwig substation, which links the station’s output into the grid. The upgraded substation includes a hybrid solution using both SF6 and ‘clean air’ gas insulated switchgear technology, supporting National Grid’s target of cutting SF6 emissions from its network by 50% by 2030.
Mark Brindley, Construction Director at National Grid, noted, “Switching on the second new circuit is a major step forward for this project. We’re strengthening a vital clean energy link in North Wales and ensuring Dinorwig can continue to power homes, businesses and communities for years to come.
“We’re immensely grateful for the continued patience and understanding of local communities as we push ahead with the final phase of this complex once-in-a-generation project.”
Peter Kirk, Managing Director – Energy at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, added, “We’re proud to be delivering this important work in North Wales, helping to bring cleaner energy onto the UK national grid and strengthen the resilience of the network. Energising the second circuit is the latest success story of strong collaboration, as we apply an innovative approach to upgrading existing circuits and boosting capacity between the Dinorwig and Pentir substations in a challenging environment.”
