WHAT'S HAPPENING ON SITE
Work by civil engineering contractor Jones Bros. Civil Engineering UK to prepare for the start of construction of the onshore electrical infrastructure for Sofia is now complete with the site handed over to GE’s Grid Solutions and their onshore converter station sub-contractor Kier Infrastructure. The Jones Bros. activity included providing a level load-bearing stone platform for both the Sofia and neighbouring Dogger Bank C converter stations; two new accesses to the site with associated bellmouths; welfare and laydown areas; drainage system, and associated utilities. Regular drone filming has captured the progress of the works and will continue as the onshore converter station takes shape.
In terms of local impacts, Sofia is keen to minimise disruption to those living nearest the site and part of this has focussed on re-shaping the mounds that separate the converter stations’ site from Lazenby Village. The reshaped mounds will be an improved barrier to the construction activity and in the longer term they will visually screen the two new converter stations and the Wilton International site. The first phase of work is now complete, with the north mound reshaped and planted with trees, shrubs and wildflowers. The second phase of reshaping, on the southern mound, will get underway in 2022.
Work has begun on the onshore civil engineering work for the export cable route following the appointment of J. Murphy & Sons Ltd.