Grain Power Station, Kent
Gallagher are employed as specialist contractor to carry out civil engineering works for Alstom Power Ltd, the turn key contractor responsible for delivering the new gas fired power station for EoN.
We are working in several distinct sectors and our work area covers a large physical area requiring high levels of supervision and large numbers of operatives. We are responsible for enabling works, temporary works and permanent works working within live power plants and green field locations. Our works include site clearance of buried obstructions and areas of contamination, installation of piling mats and hard standings, extensive sheet piling and ground retention measures, permanent CFA piling, reinforced concrete substructure and superstructure elements for the installation of 1.7 kilometres of twin 1.2m diameter pipes supplying heated water from the new power station to an existing liquified Natural Gas Facility.
The pipeline is constructed across very poor alluvial ground that has seen many previous industrial uses and as such requires innovative temporary ground improvement solutions and permanent piling methods. It is then installed throughout the existing facility in extremely close proximity to main cryogenic pipelines requiring exact agreed working methods to ensure the safe operation of the Liquefied Natural Gas plant at all times.
In addition we are also undertaking foundations for high pressure pipe runs, external roads and hard landscaping, cable and duct runs, earthing lines, foundations for bridges for overhead pipe runs etc, all on a large scale.
The project environment is closely controlled as we are working adjacent to and crossing cryogenic pipe lines and LNG distribution apparatus. Constant programming of activities is required due to the multitrade working. The scheme also requires remediation of asbestos product from the existing ground. Security is a significant issue requiring employees to be vetted and thoroughly inducted. Health & safety requirements feature heavily with all works subject to pre-agreed method statements with permits to work issued (and returned) on a daily basis. Site rules are very strict.
Close cooperation between site, design engineers and the Gallagher quarrying team has ensured the provision of 20,000 tonnes of stone crushed to the correct requirements together with 12,000 tonnes of cement stabilised sand being provided as permanent backfill for these works.
The overall programme for the power station is very challenging and consequently we are required multi-shifts and weekends in order to ensure that Alstom Power Ltd can deliver the overall project on time.