Requirements
As part of a wind farm development, Nairn Construction Ltd delivered this windfarm substation control building to house the control systems for 13 new onshore turbines with a total installed capacity of 62MW. We secured the contract with Jones Bros Ltd through a competitive tender process, against other contractors.
As the new building was isolated from the main turbine site and situated on a natural peat bog which was classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), there were features and natural wildlife habitats surrounding the development which had to be considered such as watercourses, insects, nesting birds and reptiles.
A key aspect of the requirements was to keep water pollution, silt run off and further disturbances of the natural surrounding area to a minimum.
Our Approach
After Jones Bros Ltd completed the enabling works and installed mitigation measures such as silt nets and water run-off ditches, Nairn Construction Ltd secured the site boundaries with security fencing to clearly define the work zones and protect the surrounding SSSI habitat throughout the build.
Working on a natural peat bog required a careful, considered approach to every stage of this windfarm substation control building. We planned excavation, drainage and foundation works around the site’s watercourses, insects, nesting birds and reptiles, keeping water pollution and silt run-off to an absolute minimum throughout. Once the substructure was complete, our team moved through the full build programme — from structural steel and roofing to M&E fit-out and external works — coordinating each trade carefully within the constraints of the protected site.
ks carried out by Nairn construction were as follows:-
- Excavations to formation level for the substation and scada room cable pits
- Sump drainage for the pits
- Waterproofing and gas membrane works with cable entry details
- Reinforced concrete floor slabs and retaining walls
- Strip foundations and blockwork substructure works
- Under slab drainage and cable service ducts
- Polished concrete floors
- Blockwork cavity superstructure works
- Raised access flooring and anti-slip resin floor coverings
- Structural steel and GRP grid flooring for the substation kit
- Installation of roof trusses, security mesh and roof tiles
- First and second fix joinery works, including formation of kitchen and a compliant toilet
- Plumbing and Air Conditioning works
- Installation of security doors
- Decoration works
- Construction of concrete footpaths, disable parking bay and parking bays
- Installation of water harvesting system, fire fighter tanks, septic system with associated manhole systems and soakaways
- Installation of 140m Palisade Fencing and security gates around external located transformers and overhead cable plant with shuttered foundation details
- Dressing and grading of clean stone to transformer compound area
- Dressing, grading and compacting of compound area
Results
This windfarm substation control building was delivered on budget and on time, in line with the environmental protection measures required for the site’s SSSI status. The completed facility gives future maintenance engineers for the wind farm proper office space and welfare facilities to monitor and maintain the controls for all 13 onshore turbines — a clear example of Nairn Construction’s ability to deliver technically demanding builds within tightly protected environments.
On Budget
On Time
Carried out Safely
Happy Client
Testimonial
“Nairn Construction have been so easy to work with, they have work alongside us to ensure the highest satisfactory level is achieved. Thank you for your help and cooperation on our projects, it really is appreciated.”
“I can honestly say I have literally never seen a Subbie produce this (NEC Rates Schedule) before…or a main Contractor for that matter!”
Graham Hand, Senior Project Quantity Surveyor
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK
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