SUMMARY OF WORKS AND SERVICES UNDERTAKEN:

• Construction of a 97.5m² substation building to facilitate grid connection on the site
• Expansion of site entrance
• Improved highways drainage
• Complex array of temporary works
• WTG foundations
• Crane hard standing

Knights Brown was awarded the contract for the civil and electrical infrastructure works associated with a four GE 2.85MW wind farm near Falkirk, Scotland. The scheme involved the construction of a 97.5 m² substation building to facilitate the grid connection of the site.

Works also included a new expanded site entrance, tying into the existing site access adjacent to the A9. This element of the site access was surfaced and improved highway drainage was installed. Throughout the scheme complex temporary works were required to secure the foundation prior to concreting.

During construction technical issues arose surrounding the design of the temporary works and working alongside the client the project management team were able to re-evaluate and redesign to ensure that programme delivery was not affected.

Challenging targets were set by the client throughout the construction phase and these were all achieved by our project team. In line with this we were able to accept the delivery of turbines onto site approximately one month ahead of the programme.

We were also able to provide financial and ecological benefits to the client by realigning of access tracks avoiding the need for substantial tree clearance. Throughout the project we provided in situ testing of the ground conditions enabling us to optimise on track and crane hardstanding designs.

As part of Knights Brown’s commitment to community engagement various events took place throughout the development of the scheme. This included engagement with the local high school, where we attended careers events to talk about the wind farm development and to promote civil engineering as a future career path.

We also held a community site visit giving locals the opportunity to meet the site team and gain further information on the progression of the project. The visit incorporated a tour of the site and a project information sheet highlighting the benefits of the scheme. Both events were well attended and gained positive feedback.