Following on from the success of the Bran Sands PTA Biogas Reuse Project in 2012 NWL once again chose to engage Interserve Construction Ltd as Main Contractor on the new Bio-Methane ‘Gas to Grid’ Project at Howdon.

The success of this project would be measured upon the ability to deliver the project on time, one budget and to the highest quality, As with Bran Sands, Interserve chose Intelect UK Ltd as their preferred electrical sub-contractor based upon our ability to deliver on these success factors.

Work commenced on the site in late July 2014, with the first tasks being the earthing of the formwork within the foundations of the Grid Entry Unit, Pre-Treatment Plant, Bio-Methane Upgrade Plant, Transformer Plinth and, as shown in the picture below the LV Switch Room plinth. Additionally as a part of a dedicated TNS Supply an Earth Rod Nest was installed adjacent to the LV Switch Room.

As well as heavy power distribution there was a significant amount of gas monitoring instrumentation installed, with a large proportion installed within Hazardous Areas. Intelect UK Ltd provide our Installation electricians with ‘CompEx’ training giving them the flexibility to work within many sectors of the production industry including, chemical and petro-chemical. The picture to the right shows one of these Hazardous Area installations, this one being a pressure transmitter and electric actuator at the Pre-Treatment Plant

The overall scale of the project can be seen from the picture to the left. In the foreground we can see the Pre-Treatment Plant with the gas export line disappearing uphill to the Grid Entry Unit. In the background we can see the Plant Rooms and Bio-Methane Process area with the Absorption, Desorption and Flash columns clad in scaffold. To the left are the Propane Storage Tanks with a steel protection cage fitted over

The project brought together contractors from across Europe, all with a common goal of delivering a ‘Gas to Grid’ deadline of the 30^th November. The Interserve site project team led by Graeme Eagling kept the project on track and with excellent collaboration between all stakeholders the target date was achieved. We look forward to continuing our good relationships with both Northumbrian Water & Interserve Construction Ltd.