National Grid has successfully completed the delivery of a 150-tonne transformer to its substation near Exeter, marking a significant step in the ongoing modernisation of the region's power infrastructure. The equipment, which weighs as much as 25 African elephants, is essential for increasing the capacity and reliability of the transmission network to meet rising electricity demands from local homes and businesses.

The transportation of the unit was a complex logistical feat, involving a 23-mile journey from the Port of Teignmouth to the substation site near Broadclyst. To minimise public disruption, the move was conducted overnight by specialist hauliers under police escort. National Grid collaborated extensively with Devon County Council, National Highways, and local authorities to ensure the safe passage of the massive load.

The new unit is a static compensator transformer (SCT), a critical component designed to maintain steady and stable voltage across the network. This delivery is part of a wider upgrade project at the Exeter site that will see a second transformer installed, with both new units replacing infrastructure that has reached the end of its operational lifespan.

-- Advertisement --

Jacob Demuth, Project Manager at National Grid, said: "Moving equipment of this size safely and efficiently is a real team effort. We've worked closely with Devon County Council, National Highways, police and our specialist haulage partners to carefully plan and complete the delivery with minimal disruption to road users and the local community. The new unit at Exeter substation will help ensure resilience and future stability on the network across the South West, and will support growing energy demands. We'd like to thank our partners and the community for supporting us while we carried out this important work."

Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, added: "This move has been a massive logistical operation on behalf of all of the partners involved. Devon County Council has been involved in helping plan the route for more than four years. Our teams carried out a huge amount of work, assessing the load-carrying capacity of structures on the route and ensuring adequate width for the convoy by temporarily removing bollards, streetlights, lamp columns and signs – all of which will now be put back in place. On-street parking restrictions were also temporarily suspended on specific sections of the route. Throughout all of the planning process and the transportation of the transformer itself, public safety has been paramount."