Case Study : 132kV Works at West Burton Substation

Green Engineering is pleased to announce its appointment as Substation Principal Contractor by METLEN Energy & Metals for spare bay extension works at the National Grid Electricity Transmission West Burton 132kV substation. This appointment marks another important milestone in Green Engineering’s continued support of the Great Grid Upgrade and the delivery of critical UK energy infrastructure needed to enable the transition to a low-carbon electricity system.

The West Burton project forms a key part of a wider programme to strengthen the transmission network and accommodate new sources of renewable and flexible generation. Green Engineering’s scope of works includes the decommissioning and asset replacement of existing primary and secondary plant, alongside full Engineering, Procurement, Installation and Commissioning (EPIC) of a user self-build transmission substation. All works will be delivered in strict accordance with NGET Safety Rules and NESO Grid Code compliance, ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational integrity.

The spare bay extension will facilitate the connection of a 120MW co-located solar photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) asset to the UK electricity grid. Co-located generation and storage schemes play a vital role in improving grid flexibility, reducing curtailment, and supporting system stability as renewable penetration increases. By enabling this connection at transmission level, the project will help unlock significant clean energy capacity while supporting wider national decarbonisation targets.

As Principal Contractor, Green Engineering will take responsibility for the overall coordination and management of the substation works, including interface management with National Grid Electricity Transmission and other stakeholders. This includes detailed planning of outages, sequencing of decommissioning activities, installation of new assets, and comprehensive testing and commissioning to ensure the new bay is safely and efficiently integrated into the live transmission network.

The works also demonstrate Green Engineering’s deep capability in managing complex brownfield substation environments, where safety, compliance, and programme certainty are paramount. Delivering upgrades within an operational 132kV transmission substation requires a rigorous approach to design assurance, construction methodology, and risk management. Green Engineering’s experienced engineering and site teams are well-versed in operating under these conditions, ensuring that critical infrastructure upgrades are delivered with minimal disruption to the wider network.

This project further reinforces Green Engineering’s commitment to supporting renewable energy developers by making complex grid connections simple. Transmission-level connections can present significant technical, regulatory, and programme challenges, particularly for large-scale renewable and storage assets. By offering an integrated, end-to-end service—from early engineering through to commissioning and energisation—Green Engineering helps clients navigate these challenges with confidence, reducing risk and accelerating delivery.

Commenting on the appointment, Green Engineering highlighted the importance of collaboration across the supply chain: “We are proud to be supporting METLEN Energy & Metals and National Grid Electricity Transmission on this strategically important project. Upgrading and expanding the transmission network is essential to unlocking the next generation of renewable energy in the UK, and projects like West Burton are a clear example of how targeted infrastructure investment can enable significant low-carbon generation.”

The West Burton 132kV spare bay extension adds to Green Engineering’s growing portfolio of transmission and distribution projects supporting solar, BESS, and hybrid energy schemes across the UK. As the pace of grid reinforcement continues to accelerate, Green Engineering remains focused on delivering safe, compliant, and efficient solutions that help power a more sustainable energy future.