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Hawton 132kV Cable Diversions

Project Location:

Hawton, Nottingham

Client Name:

National Grid Electricity Distribution

Project Description:

OCU delivered the diversion of existing 132kV overhead line infrastructure at Hawton, Nottinghamshire, replacing eight spans of overhead line with a new underground cable system. The works formed part of a wider residential housing and relief road development scheme.


The project involved installing approximately 2.2km of new double-circuit 132kV underground cable between the existing network and a new terminal tower. Works included trench excavation, cable installation, jointing, telecoms duct diversion and commissioning, alongside the removal of overhead infrastructure.

Key Stats:

  • 2.22km 132kV cable diversion

  • Double-circuit system - 6 × 1000mm² Cu XLPE cables

  • C.6 million litres of groundwater managed

  • New telecommunications duct route and chambers

  • Underground diversion enabling future housing and road infrastructure

5 Months

Duration

Challenge

  • Delivering the cable diversion within a live multi-contractor development environment

  • Managing significant groundwater ingress due to the high water table near the River Trent

  • Maintaining safe trench conditions while installing directly buried 132kV cables

  • Coordinating with multiple stakeholders including NGED, developers and local authorities

  • Adapting installation methods while joining the project during a later construction phase

Solution

  • Installed a 2.22km underground 132kV cable system in touching trefoil formation

  • Implemented controlled dewatering to maintain safe trench conditions

  • Managed approximately 6 million litres of groundwater

  • Adapted the installation from a direct buried system to a ducted solution for the final 800m to mitigate groundwater flooding risks

  • Installed new telecommunications duct infrastructure and chambers

  • Coordinated closely with the civil engineering contractor and other site teams to integrate works within the wider development programme

  • Delivered the scheme using OCU’s specialist high-voltage cable installation teams and calibrated pulling equipment

Outcome

  • Successful diversion of overhead infrastructure to a new underground double-circuit 132kV cable system

  • Enabled the removal of overhead lines and released land for residential and transport development

  • Groundwater challenges successfully managed without significant impact to programme

  • Improved long-term network resilience and reduced visual impact on the surrounding environment

  • Demonstrated OCU’s capability to deliver complex EHV infrastructure works within the NGED ED2 framework

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