Contract News

NATIONAL GRID FRAMEWORK POSITION SECURED

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has secured a place on the National Grid’s RIIO-2 electricity construction Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) framework. The initial term of the framework is five years, with a further option for a two-year extension.

The framework is effective from April 2021 and will involve the construction, refurbishment and decommissioning of both overhead line (OHL) and underground cable systems operating between 33kV to 400kV across National Grid’s transmission network.

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is one of three companies to have been appointed for the overhead line works and one of four companies to have been appointed for the underground works. It is estimated that over the lifetime of the framework approximately £1bn to £1.5bn will be invested in delivering these works.

Simon Smith, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, says, “We are extremely pleased to have secured a position on this framework. We are looking forward to continuing to build on our long-term relationship with National Grid, working collaboratively with them to deliver a clean and efficient electricity transmission network and supporting the UK’s transition to greener energy to achieve net zero by 2050.” Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, morgansindall.com

CONTRACT AWARDED FOR BRISTOL’S REDCLIFFE BRIDGE RENOVATION

Cleveland Bridge UK has been awarded a substantial refurbishment contract to undertake renovations of Bristol’s Redcliffe Bridge.

The iconic bridge is part of the floating harbour in Bristol, linking Redcliffe Way to the city centre. It was constructed in 1942, and in 1996 underwent a major electrical and control system refit, bringing the installation up to the current industry standards.

Cleveland Bridge has been named as principal contractor for the latest refurbishment work on the floating harbour bridge, delivering the project throughout 2021 with the support of design house, Jacobs.

The scope of work includes refurbishment of the internal steelwork and bridge parapet, water proofing of the bridge deck, and mechanical and electrical modifications, including the removal of the existing gates and machinery and replacing them with rising arm barriers.

In line with current coronavirus restrictions and its COVID-safe measures, Cleveland Bridge UK will be supporting young people from the Bristol area by providing training opportunities through local schools and will also employ at least one young person on site.

Chris Droogan, Managing Director of Cleveland Bridge, says: “Securing this contract is testament to the expertise of our bridge rehabilitation team, but also to our standards of excellence and common sense of purpose. This includes the delivery of complex and specialist projects as well as reflecting our dedication to supporting the communities in which we work to leave a skills and employment legacy.” Cleveland Bridge UK, clevelandbridge.com

MONTES DEL PLATA SAYS YES TO ELLIS’ EMPEROR CLEATS

Cable cleats and straps designed, developed and manufactured in North Yorkshire are currently being installed in the industrial headquarters of one of the world’s largest eucalyptus cellulose pulp producers – Uruguay-based Montes del Plata (MdP).

Ellis Patents’ Emperor cable cleats and FlexiStrap cable straps were specified for the job by local electrical design consultancy, Eprisma; and were selected due to their proven capability to safely secure large power cable bundles; in particular on vertical runs.

They are being installed in MdP’s main industrial plant in Colonia, Uruguay.

MdP manages 155,000 hectares of industrial forest in 13 areas across Uruguay, from which it produces and exports eucalyptus cellulose pulp every year.

The company is seen as one of Uruguay’s most innovative industrial operators and has been lauded for its focus on electrical safety and technical development.

“MdP is a huge business and its operation in Uruguay is on a scale that not many come close to matching,” says Kelly Brown, Ellis Patents’ Head of Sales. “To have secured this first order is a notable achievement, and the great working relationships developed with both MdP and Eprisma during the process does point to what we hope will be a long and important working relationship in this key export market for Ellis Patents.” Ellis Patents, ellispatents.co.uk

SES TO DELIVER £23M OF WORKS TO SOUTH LONDON HOSPITAL

SES Engineering Services (SES) is set to save 8,000 labour hours by using offsite to deliver £23m of works at the Springfield Hospital redevelopment in Tooting, South London.

Working alongside main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, SES will provide all mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works for a state-of-the-art mental health centre set across two new buildings. This will include ventilation and heating systems, VRF cooling and domestic services, as well as specialist electrical systems including nurse call alarms, security, a large image data package and car charging points.

Targeted towards a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’, the new three-storey non-forensic building will include the main hospital reception, various wards, outpatient departments and training facilities, while the neighbouring forensic building will include four secure wards and a facility management workshop.

SES will use its offsite manufacturing facility, Prism, to deliver a significant part of the works for the BIM level two project, including 150 corridor and riser modules – saving a total of 8,000 labour hours on site.

The new hospital project is part of a wider regeneration project for the former Springfield University Hospital site that will also include the development of more than 800 new homes, a 32-acre park and a new primary school, all of which is set to be delivered by 2024. SES Engineering Services, ses-ltd.co.uk

SIEMENS TECH ENSURES SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY OF THE CIRCLE

The Circle at Zurich Airport is a new 30,000m2 building complex that features shops, restaurants, services, hotels and a conference centre under one roof. Siemens installed over 30,000 components for the building and energy technology of the large complex, making an active contribution to its sustainable design. The company’s technology ensures the daily 25,000 visitors to The Circle experience a safe and energy-efficient environment.

Siemens supplied the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components to ensure an optimised and healthy room climate throughout the complex, which consists of six individual buildings. The company also installed field devices that are smart, fully automated and optimised for energy efficiency, supporting the building automation system.

Siemens also designed, engineered and installed an end-to-end solution for the reliable supply of electricity. Power to the complex is supplied through approximately 1,000 metres of busbars from the main low-voltage supply systems. Integrated measuring devices make the power flows transparent, enabling operators to identify areas of potential savings. A total of 600 air circuit breakers and moulded case circuit breakers are used in the main low-voltage distribution system and in the busbar tap-off units. The circuit breakers feature selective tripping, which contributes to a reliable energy supply and infrastructure.

Voice alarm systems ensure safety and security in the public areas, including retail spaces, parking garages and evacuation routes, as well as the Hyatt hotels and the University Hospital Zurich Health Center.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure, siemens.com/smart-infrastructure

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON CLEAN ENERGY GENERATION PLANTS

Electrical engineering firm, Smith Brothers Contracting, has commenced design work for two new gas peaking plants in Lancashire.

Construction work is well underway on a 10.3MW plant in Great Harwood, as well as a 6MW site in Burnley, and once complete, they will export electrical power to Distribution Network Operator (DNO), Electricity North West.

The developments will also provide additional support for the grid and intermittent renewable energy sources – such as wind and solar.

Smith Brothers is responsible for the private side of the assignments, overseeing all Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) relating to the design and build of the generation plant, the supporting infrastructure, and final installation, testing and connection.

Dave Ogden, director at Smith Brothers says, “We are pleased to be continuing our working relationship with Quinbrook and delighted to be a part of two significant developments. These further strengthen our position of being synonymous with high-quality, ECP and clean energy storage projects in the UK.” Smith Brothers, smithbrothersltd.co.uk

LEREN BEFORE THE STORM

Luceco has recently supplied LED lighting for a cutting-edge IT company, Storm Technologies based in Watford. Storm selected Leren from Luceco due to its stylish appearance and technical performance. With its sleek modern design, integral sensors with Dali dimmable drivers, the Leren fitted the brief.

Offering both upward and downward light distribution providing an enhanced overall lit environment, particularly where there are high or open ceiling voids to illuminate, Leren was suspended on three metre drops in order to meet the lighting requirements of Storm. Supplied complete with adjustable wire suspensions, Leren benefits from through-wiring, including electrical connectors as standard, to assist with both standalone and continuous run installations. Accessories available include ceiling mount electrical connection rose and blanking modules in 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500mm lengths.

The installation was carried out by Clark Electrical & General. Clark Electrical has provided maintenance and facilities management services to Storm Technologies for many years.

Available as fixed output, DALI dimmable, emergency back-up variants, PIR and LiteIP, Leren offers excellent photometric performance and over 100,000 hours of maintenance free, operational life with an efficacy of 120Llm/cW, and three lumen outputs: 4,000, 5,200 and 7,500lm. Luceco, luceco.com

ALLIANCE ELECTRICAL WINS SMOKE DETECTOR CONTRACT

Local contractor and renewable technologies company, Alliance Electrical Services, will soon begin a programme of work to install smoke detectors, in partnership with Angus Council.

With a long-standing reputation for delivering public sector contracts in North East Scotland, Alliance Electrical was delighted to be awarded the contract, worth more than £300,000, by Angus Council. Beginning with a programme of work to fit smoke detectors in more than 600 homes in Arbroath, the installations are scheduled to begin as soon as COVID-19 restrictions on non-essential work are lifted.

New fire and smoke alarm regulations introduced by the Scottish government mean that every home must be fitted with a smoke alarm in the living room and in circulation spaces such as hallways and landings. As well as this, all alarms are required to be interlinked so that they can be heard throughout the property.

Alliance Electrical Managing Director, Errol Lawrie, says, “The team at Alliance Electrical have gained a good reputation for their quality work over the last two decades, and we have successfully delivered similar contracts for a range of councils and housing associations in the East Coast of Scotland.

“The new fire and smoke alarms regulations need to be implemented in every home across Scotland, so we are seeing an increasing number of landlords, housing associations, and councils preparing to meet the deadline.” Alliance Electrical Services, alliance-electrical.co.uk