Protected UK species such as nesting birds and bats have experienced significant population declines, birds by 11% since 1970 and bats over the past century, mainly due to habitat loss, changes in agricultural practices, and reduced food sources.

Monitoring of installed bird and bat boxes by licensed London Bat Group members has fostered collaboration between National Grid, JSM, and Croydon Council, benefiting protected wildlife in South Croydon.

Coordinating works was challenging, with DNO-contracted non-contestable activities taking place alongside JSM on a constrained site, while the installation of 11 batteries, each weighing 32 tonnes, required a complex lifting operation due to limited space.

• Works included detailed design and approvals
• Installation of civil and electrical infrastructure such as plinths for 11nr batteries and 6nr transformers, 700m of 33kV cabling, a 2-panel 33kV switchboard, auxiliary transformer, and fibre connections
• Temporary works were constructed to support a 300 ton crane that installed the 11nr batteries, each weighing 32 ton

Site earthing presented a challenge due to the 33kV overhead line connection and the planned future 11kV connection, requiring careful consideration of combined fault contributions and differing clearance times. In addition, site constraints made plant installation difficult, as the six 32-ton batteries required a complex lifting operation into position.

• 6nr batteries
• 3nr transformers
• 460m of 33kV cabling,
• 2-panel 33kV switchboard,