GE Vernova secures 400 kV substation contract for UK grid upgrade

GE Vernova (NYSE:GEV) has been chosen by Laing O’Rourke to deliver a new 400 kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation in Chesterfield, England, supporting a major programme to strengthen the UK’s electricity transmission infrastructure.

The project forms part of National Grid’s Brinsworth to Chesterfield and Chesterfield to High Marnham developments, which sit within the wider Great Grid Upgrade. The programme is designed to modernise and expand electricity networks across England and Wales, with the latest work covering areas of Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

GE Vernova to provide comprehensive substation solution

Under the contract, GE Vernova will be responsible for a broad range of engineering and infrastructure work. Its scope includes design engineering, procurement and equipment delivery, as well as installation, testing and commissioning at the site.

The company will also provide protection and control systems, manage project interfaces and oversee integration of the new infrastructure with the existing transmission network. Decommissioning of current equipment is included within the project scope.

The comprehensive contract strengthens GE Vernova’s involvement in the modernisation of Britain’s high-voltage electricity network as demand for additional transmission capacity continues to grow.

SF₆-free technology supports grid modernisation

The Chesterfield substation is planned to incorporate GE Vernova’s SF₆-free g³ GIS technology. The system has been developed as an alternative to conventional equipment that relies on sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆), while maintaining equivalent standards for performance, reliability and safety.

The technology provides an additional sustainability element to a project focused on increasing the capacity and resilience of the UK’s electricity transmission system.

“The Chesterfield project is about building the transmission capacity the UK needs to move more electricity, strengthen resilience and support long-term economic growth,” said Johan Bindele, CEO Grid Systems Integration, GE Vernova.

Chesterfield project supports Great Grid Upgrade

The investment forms part of a much broader effort to prepare Britain’s electricity infrastructure for future requirements, including the need to transport greater volumes of power across the transmission network.

Adam Rawling, Enterprise Partner Director at Laing O’Rourke, said the project is “an important part of strengthening the UK’s electricity transmission network for the future.”

For GE Vernova, the Chesterfield contract provides another opportunity to deploy its grid technology on major infrastructure projects while supporting National Grid’s wider programme to expand and modernise electricity transmission capacity across England and Wales.

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