Eurotunnel Appoints Lowery to Install Permanent Standby Power Supply at the Folkestone Rail Control Centre (RCC)

Grid and power specialist Lowery has been competitively selected to deliver a new standby generator for Eurotunnel’s Folkstone, Kent, RCC (Rail Control Centre). Works will support resilient business operations for Eurotunnel, through the provision of permanent failsafe power functionality.

Acting as Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, Lowery will replace two existing rental standby generators with one permanent standby generator incorporated into a local substation circuit.

The RCC ensures safe and resilient operation of the undersea railway between the UK and France, managing round the clock the movement of trains through an array of more than 40,000 sensors providing real-time operations status. Power resilience is critical for the RCC to ensure that Eurotunnel’s operational business can fully function at all times.

Installation will include a new generator and manual changeover switch. Works also include control and monitoring equipment (BMS and TCS systems), installation of all new power and data cables and cable routes, and all civils works including bases and fixings for the new permanent generator.

Design, managed through Lowery’s in-house design resources, is supported by boutique electrification design house Phase Design & Engineering. An experienced rail team, drawn from persons experienced on channel tunnel rail traction power infrastructure for HS1 and the Ashford TMC will manage and deliver the works.

Works are anticipated to complete in around six months.

Mark Gubbins, Managing Director of Lowery commented: “We’re looking forward to applying our specialist power expertise on behalf of Eurotunnel and do our part to strengthen the reliability of their Folkestone RCC operations.”