A colossal 174-tonne transformer has been successfully transported past Burnham-On-Sea by sea to Dunball Wharf and then to Bridgwater, marking a significant milestone in the region's high voltage electricity network upgrade. Originating from Rotterdam, the supergrid transformer journeyed via the River Parrett and reached Bridgwater substation this month, where it was installed alongside a similar transformer delivered last July.

This delivery is a critical component of the ongoing Hinkley Connection Project, managed by National Grid. The transformer will connect to the upgraded Hinkley to Bridgwater overhead electricity line, incorporating a new section of 400kV T-pylons to complete the high voltage link to Melksham substation. The Bridgwater substation, previously operating at 275kV, is being upgraded to 400kV to futureproof the electrical infrastructure as regional electricity demand continues to grow.

The transportation process was meticulously planned and executed. The transformer, measuring 8.8 meters in length and weighing the equivalent of 30 African elephants, was offloaded from the barge at high tide using a large crane and placed onto a 58-meter-long transport lorry. The journey from Dunball Wharf to the substation, spanning 4.5 miles, was completed safely under police supervision, ensuring minimal disruption to local traffic. Steve Haskayne, Hinkley Connection Project director, expressed gratitude to the local community for their patience during this operation, emphasizing the upgrade's importance for enhancing energy security and meeting future power demands.

Source: burnham-on-sea.com