Heidelberg Materials help make the connection
PowerCrete concrete maximizes power capacity at landfall connection to Inch Cape offshore wind farm
HEIDELBERG Materials UK have supplied their PowerCrete heat-conducting concrete to help maximize power capacity at the landfall connection to Inch Cape offshore wind farm.
Inch Cape is set to be one of Scotland’s largest offshore wind farms and will generate enough green energy to power 1.6 million homes when it becomes fully operational, which is expected to be in 2027.
It will feature 72 turbines located 15km off the Angus coast and the power generated will be transported 85km to a new onshore substation at Cockenzie, East Lothian, before connecting to the National Grid.
Running power cables underground generates heat and, as the temperature rises, so does the resistance, resulting in capacity loss. Using PowerCrete as a bedding material and infill material at the landfall site, enhances heat dissipation to maximize the power capacity of the underground cables.
Heidelberg Materials supplied 242m3 of PowerCrete from their Glasgow concrete plant. Tidal conditions dictated precise delivery windows and co-ordinating the timed pours required close collaboration between the operations and distribution teams.
Michael Kelly, commercial manager at Charles Brand, the main contractor for the project, said: ‘PowerCrete was exactly what we needed for Inch Cape and handled the technical demands of the cable installation really well.
‘The tidal schedule added some complexity but the Heidelberg Materials team co-ordinated deliveries seamlessly. It’s reassuring to work with a supplier who truly understands site pressures and partners with you to deliver.’
Robert Grant, area general manager at Heidelberg Materials UK, added: ‘This was a great example of how close co-ordination between our plant, logistics, and site teams can make a real difference.
‘PowerCrete is a specialist product, and getting it to site on time – especially with tidal constraints – meant we had to be really sharp on planning and communication. The team at Charles Brand were excellent to work with, and together we kept everything moving smoothly. It’s always rewarding to see our products play a part in such a significant renewable energy project.’
