HV Substation Construction NHS General Hospital

Operational NHS General Hospital Site

Construct a high voltage (HV) substation within a limited space adjacent to pedestrian areas and active healthcare facilities. The project aimed to deliver a robust HV supply to support critical healthcare operations, including new radiology equipment and heat station, meeting stringent safety and operational standards.

Objectives

• Perform detailed planning and preparatory work, including investigative surveys, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scans, and topographical surveys.
• Design a concrete base and steel platform for the HV substation, optimised for the constrained space adjacent to pedestrian walkways and healthcare facility boundaries.
• Install a new HV transformer and complete associated infrastructure including HV cabling to ensure reliable and safe power distribution.
• Provide an LV feeder pillar to support key healthcare facilities, such as radiology equipment and the new Low-Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) heating supply station, with considerations for future capacity requirements.
• Coordinate closely with the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Senior Authorized Person (SAP) to ensure safe isolation and permitted HV works.
• Accelerate project completion to meet an urgent deadline for healthcare facility supply needs, ensuring a seamless integration into ongoing hospital operations.
  Challenges
• Designing a substation structure that could fit within a limited footprint near pedestrian zones and active healthcare areas without disrupting daily operations.
• Coordinating safe isolation with the DNO SAP to perform HV works within a highly regulated environment.
• Planning and executing HV cable routes with minimal disruption to hospital operations and pedestrian flow.
• Collaborating with the hospital’s operational team and contractors working on adjacent projects to synchronise activities in a tight timeframe.

The Solution

• Customized Substation Design: Developed a compact, space-efficient substation design with a concrete base and steel platform tailored to the site’s spatial constraints, ensuring stability and accessibility.
• Optimized HV Transformer Capacity: Installed an HV transformer and LV feeder pillar with future capacity in mind, providing stable support for critical equipment and heating needs while accommodating potential demand growth.
• Rigorous Safety and Compliance Protocols: Conducted GPR and topographical surveys to minimize risk, carefully mapping out and avoiding existing underground services.
• Collaborative Project Management: Maintained close collaboration with hospital operations and contractors to coordinate adjacent works, ensuring minimal disruption and optimal resource utilization.
• Accelerated Schedule: Completed all phases—from planning through installation— to meet an expedited timeline, ensuring timely delivery of essential power supply for urgent healthcare needs.

Successful Outcomes

Prosec Consulting Ltd delivered a high-quality, future-ready HV substation within a challenging operational healthcare environment. Key outcomes included:

• Reliable power infrastructure to support critical hospital functions.
• Increased capacity to handle future power requirements.
• Minimal disruption to hospital operations and pedestrian access.
• Compliance with healthcare safety standards and best practices.
• Effective collaboration across multiple teams, ensuring timely and successful project completion.

Thank you to our team and partners who contributed to the successful delivery of this essential healthcare project