October 14, 2019 11.57 am This story is over 53 months old

First onshore transformer delivered at Triton Knoll

The transformer is longer than two red London buses
The first transformer was delivered to Triton Knoll’s onshore substation. Photo: Siemens plc

A transformer longer than two red London buses, and weighing as much as 34 African elephants, was delivered to Triton Knoll’s onshore substation.

The transformers set sail from Austria, where they were manufactured, to Sutton Bridge port in Lincolnshire on Sunday. The first transformer was then lifted onto a trailer and driven 20 miles by police escort to the Bicker Fen site – Triton Knoll.

Another slow moving abnormal load will be moved from the Port of Sutton Bridge to Triton Knoll on Sunday, October 20, between 6am and 7am.

Photo: Siemens plc

Once the transformers are skidded into position, the installation of associated electrical equipment will begin. This marks a significant milestone in the development of the offshore wind farm.

Construction of the onshore substation is due to be completed in 2020.

Photo: Siemens plc

Triton Knoll has two transformers and each one is 13 metres long and four metres wide during transportation. Once the other associated electrical equipment is added it will double in size to 26 metres long, 6.6 metres wide, and weighing 240 tonnes.

Transformers change the voltage of the power delivered to the onshore substation so it can be delivered to the National Grid and transmitted to homes and businesses.

The wind farm will have an installed generation capacity of circa 857MW once fully operational. It will be capable of providing enough clean and sustainable power for the equivalent of at least 800,000 UK homes.

Photo: Siemens plc

There are around 150 people on site at Bicker Fen. Over the last year the substation construction work has progressed significantly.

This has included the construction of the main access road, the substation platform, piling works and access to the existing National Grid substation already completed. Civil works started earlier this year and are well developed.

Offshore construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2020.

Photo: Siemens plc

Phil Manley, Triton Knoll Project Director, Siemens Transmission and Distribution, said: “The transformers are one of the most important parts of the onshore substation site. Without the transformer, the power generated by the offshore wind farm would not be able to be transmitted into the grid. I’m delighted that we’ve reached this stage according to the project schedule.”