By seamlessly integrating advanced underground cabling technology with meticulous planning and execution, Nexans significantly contributed to the preservation and enhancement of the natural landscape in the Dorset AONB, while ensuring reliable power transmission for the region.
Dorset VIP: Restoring the natural beauty of England’s countryside
+100 km
of cables
22
pylons to be removed
Partnership
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Market
Land interconnection
Location
UK
Context
In April 2019, Nexans was awarded a significant contract worth 35 million euros by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure to supply high voltage underground cables for the Dorset Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project. This project, part of National Grid’s initiative, aimed to reduce the visual impact of an existing 8.8 km section of 400 kilovolt (kV) overhead line in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The primary objective was to replace the overhead lines with Nexans’ underground high voltage cables, thereby enabling the removal of 22 pylons. This transformation aimed to restore the natural beauty of the English countryside, particularly near the villages of Martinstown and Winterbourne Abbas.
Challenges
The project faced several challenges, including the need to preserve the environmental heritage and wildlife of the Dorset landscape while ensuring reliable power transmission. Additionally, the underground cabling required intricate planning and construction to seamlessly integrate with the existing infrastructure and to maintain the efficiency and safety of the power network.
+100 km
of specialized copper-core high voltage XLPE cables supplied by Nexans
22
pylons to be removed
Nexans implication
Nexans played a pivotal role in the Dorset VIP project, supplying 100 km of specialized copper-core HV XLPE cables suitable for burying underground. The cables will be used to create two, three-phase circuits, each with two cables per phase. Additionally, Nexans supplied accessories and jointing services, ensuring a comprehensive solution for the project’s needs. The manufacturing of cables took place at Nexans’ Benelux plant in Charleroi, Belgium, while accessories were delivered from Nexans’ Switzerland plant in Cortaillod. The jointing services were provided by Nexans’ UK installation team, securing the seamless integration of the underground cables.
Construction work on the project started in spring 2019 and took three years to complete, including the removal of the existing line and pylons.
We are delighted to be involved in this key National Grid project to demonstrate the capability of our underground cables to mitigate the visual impact of HV power links. Nexans has been deeply involved with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure from the start of the project design process and we have already reached the stage where the cable system is being further refined and optimized.
Laurent Guillaumin
Business Development Director UK/Ireland Subsea and Land Systems, Nexans
