Case Study: Guston HV Switchgear

The first HV Switchgear Renewal of CP7 (2024). Working on behalf of Octavius Infrastructure as part of the SRE (Southern Renewals Enterprise), Lowery were pleased to bring our HV Plant, LV Cabling and Civils skills to the project.

Working under Octavius’s CDM and safety management, works were delivered accident-free in accordance with the SRE key safety outcome of ‘Safe, Fit and Healthy’. Octavius also arranged for mental health support on-site.

Our contributing scope to the renewal of 3no HV panel switchgear with GIS/Vacuum 33kV circuit breaker and associated protection relays incorporated 2no auxiliary transformers and bases, 1no LVAC changeover panel, 1no marshalling panel, XLPE cable and associated cable routes, 50V and 110V battery chargers. Further works encompassed the wiring in the existing LV system in the substation, heating and lighting upgrades, and compliance approval. HV cable alterations were also necessary to suit the location of the new module. Lowery’s specialist engineering team worked to accommodate the new module, cable layout and site layout along with the SCADA alterations.

Site enabling works included the removal of the existing HV bypass arrangements and reinstatement of protection arrangements and the remote ends, and the safe, compliant removal of redundant equipment.

Celebrating the success of this significant project, as the first HV renewal of CP7 and the SRE, Lowery’s Project Manager Ricky Clitherow said of the delivery: “Guston was a particularly successful project that ran smoothly. We enjoyed a great partnership with Liam Green, Stefan Rossi, Steve Phelps and all the team at Octavius and look forward to collaborating again on future works.”

Thanks to OIL’s collaborative and integrative approach, realising the SRE’s behavioural charter, we were able to deliver our part of the objective to renew the life expired Hawk Gas 36 HV switchgear and ancillary equipment with approved modern equivalents to time and to agreed budget, in accordance with the SRE’s ‘Affordable and Profitable’ outcome.

“A big shout-out to Lowery Ltd and our Site Management team for their outstanding efforts — the quality of work on-site is excellent!” Liam Green, Package Manager at Octavius Infrastructure.