LOCATION:
Civil engineering works to enable the installation of 2.7km of high voltage cable between Ffestiniog Power Station and Stwlan Dam.
Undertaken in Snowdonia National Park, the route over which the cable was installed increased in elevation by 300m, crossing open mountainside for approximately 1,000m before connecting witht the existing access track leading to the dam.
- Excavation of cable route.
- Environmental protection measures.
- Materials delivery.
Challenges
- Remote location within Snowdonia National Park with protected status.
- Delivery and movement of materials.
- The weather.
Solutions
Substantial silt fencing was installed along with straw bale dams on all watercourses running through the working area to ensure they were protected. All material stockpiles were also covered to prevent any run off during storm conditions.
Movement of materials was undertaken by helicopter with materials relocated from the site compound onto the open mountainside in strategic positions., preventing a potential two week delay to the programme.
Outcome
We successfully replaced the cable at Stwlan Dam, which had been in operation since 1963.
