Our energy infrastructure: from wind farm to Grid

Generating wind power offshore is only half the story―clean electricity needs to be carried onshore and connected to the National Grid, before it reaches millions of homes across the UK. When offshore turbines generate power, electricity is carried through underwater cables via an offshore substation towards the shore. The offshore substation steps up the voltage, so it can be transmitted with fewer losses. Export cables, buried underground, then transfer the electricity to an onshore substation where it is converted to the correct voltage and fed into the Grid.

When laying cables, we often need to cross existing infrastructure such as roads and railway lines. To avoid possible disruption caused by traditional open trenching methods, we implement a technique known as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). This method allows us to install cables underground quickly without disturbing surface structures, therefore minimising disruption.

Taking good care of the natural environment is one of our core values. Each of our project teams has at least one dedicated environment officer who is responsible for undertaking an environmental impact survey before any construction begins, and ensuring all wildlife is cared for during construction. This protects animals like seals and migratory birds.

Our pledge is to return everything as we found it. For example, when we excavate trenches to bury cables, we recover them neatly with the original soil. We replant vegetation, and restore everything to the way it was, removing any trace that we were ever there.