Directional Drilling Team Takes on International Solar Farm Projects Near Norwich

Cappagh's directional drilling team has successfully delivered work on two solar farm projects near Norwich, both with an international flavour — demonstrating the team's ability to work in challenging conditions and complex environments.

The larger of the two projects, Bloy's Grove Solar Farm, is a 50MW renewable energy development in Swainsthorpe developed by EDF Renewables UK.  Covering over 200 acres and designed to power approximately 14,000 to 20,000 homes annually, the project supplies electricity to Network Rail in support of their decarbonisation strategy.  Working directly for main contractor Grupotec, the team installed over 3,000 metres of cable duct in varying configurations, passing under field ditches, hedgerows, B roads and existing utilities — all while contending with torrential rain and challenging ground conditions.

The second project, Oulton Airfield Solar Farm, is based on a former RAF airfield and required ducting to connect a new 5MW array to an existing installation — with ducting inserted under the old reinforced concrete runway still in place on site.  Drilling directly under reinforced concrete presents significant challenges due to interference from reinforcement bars, and this crossing was also drilled parallel to a high-voltage cable introducing further interference.  Despite these conditions, the crossing was successfully completed to the client's satisfaction.  In this instance, Allen Watson was sub-contracted to Greek contractor TQES.

The team also completed a further project at the former Wisley Airfield in Surrey, installing utility ducts below an existing watercourse — again navigating tight space constraints and strict Environment Agency requirements.