National Grid has awarded a £35M contract to install essential power cable in Croydon.

With J Murphy & Sons Limited appointed as the contractor for the scheme, designs can now be progressed and work is expected to begin on site in October 2018.

The project involves the replacement of one of two high-voltage underground cables near Croydon in South London, and as such is part of the country’s essential power networks. The current cable is nearing the end of its asset life and National Grid has decided to replace the circuit with a new ‘XLPE’ cable system. The new cable will be installed inside the existing Croydon tunnel, increasing both the performance and resilience of the network.

As well as designing, installing and testing the new cable, work will also include replacing the tunnel ventilation and telecommunications system.

Murphy CEO John Murphy said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract and look forward to developing our relationship with National Grid to carry out this essential work. We have decades of experience installing cables, as well as building the tunnels that house them. I’m pleased we can use our engineering expertise to play our part in upgrading the country’s power highways and maintaining reliable supplies for millions of consumers.”

James Kennerley, National Grid Project Engineer said: “National Grid are pleased to be working with J Murphy & Sons Limited on what is an important asset replacement project which will provide security of electricity supplies across South London. By installing cables within tunnels, National Grid are taking these assets away from the highway and reducing the incidences of disruption due to roadworks across the Croydon and wider London area.  Throughout the extensive tender period, National Grid were impressed by J Murphy & Son’s technical solution to the complex engineering challenges this project entails, and look forward to implementing these innovative construction methodologies during the works.”

The contract was awarded following a competitive tender to undertake the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a new 400kV cable circuit between the Beddington and Rowdown substations, through the existing Croydon tunnel. The installation and related work is due to be completed by October 2020.

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