Lower Lea Valley Cable Tunnel

Customer: J Murphy & Sons

Site Owner: EDFe / National Grid

Value: £2.7m

The Lower Lea Valley Cable Tunnel (LLVCT) project was for the provision of two cable tunnels for 132KV High Voltage cables, one for EDFe and one for National Grid. The tunnels were required as part of the Olympic build programme, to replace the existing overhead lines which crossed the Olympic site.

The scope included the provision of two off intelligent MCCs at each of the shafts (8 off) plus associated UPS, together with the full site cabling package from REC supply point to final points. The largest drives on the project were 375KW VSDs.

FSD teams, together with JV Partners Anord Control Systems, worked closely to co-ordinate the design and on site activities. In particular space constraints meant that the design and layout of the switchboards had to be carefully considered.

Due to specification ambiguities and problems associated with modelling of the ventilation system, the JV Project Manager was heavily involved in the main contract design process and was able to confirm the effects of various solutions discussed on both the MCC design and the site cabling scope.

The site operation was complicated by the issues associated with a multi-site project in the heart of London, with multi disciplines working within a limited space.

The project was subject to significant change as the original scope excluded the control aspect of the project and this was added as a variation. In addition to the variation for the controls the JV was also instructed to:

  • Supply and install the associated building services
  • Work night shifts due to programme pressures
  • Undertake commissioning