Project
Projects
Oldbury Substation Civil Engineering & RC Structures For Burns & McDonnell.
Overview
Location
Oldbury
Value
£1.5m
Status
Completed
Client
The Challenge.
ACS was appointed by Burns & McDonnell to deliver the complete civils and reinforced concrete works for a new 275/132kV Super Grid Transformer (SGT4) at National Grid’s 400kV Oldbury Substation.
Operating within a live National Grid site required precise coordination, robust safety protocols, and collaborative planning with all parties involved — particularly around programme-critical concrete pours, tarmac surfacing, and the installation of transformer infrastructure.
Our Solution.
ACS delivered all civil engineering elements for the new SGT infrastructure, managing a complex sequence of works involving structural RC components, road construction, drainage, and electrical base installations.
Reinforced Concrete Works
- Constructed a reinforced concrete bund structure for the transformer:
- 250mm to 400mm thick RC slab
- Two 450mm plinths for transformer placement
- Integrated oil sump cast into the slab
- 1m-high retaining wall (275mm thick) around the perimeter to contain potential oil discharge
- Installed 50 AIS RC bases, complete with holding-down bolts to support incoming electrical gantries and equipment
Tarmac Access Road
- Constructed a new tarmac access road around the 275kV infrastructure
- Delivered all civil elements to the underside of basecourse level, including:
- Earthworks and sub-base formation
- Radius kerb lines and drainage preparation
The Result.
ACS completed all works on time and to specification, despite site-specific constraints and the complexities of working on a high-voltage National Grid site.
Close collaboration between ACS, Burns & McDonnell, and the National Grid SAP was key to delivering a compliant, high-quality scheme. Together, we safely and efficiently completed all concrete and surfacing works — including the successful installation of the SGT bund and access infrastructure — in line with the programme.
Through proactive collaboration and expert execution, ACS delivered the reinforced concrete and civils package at Oldbury safely, efficiently, and in full alignment with National Grid’s high standards.
