Tinsley Park Substation Upgrade

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Our role
Client challenges
Our innovative solution
Outcomes & benefits
Project legacy

Our role
Client challenges
Our innovative solution
Outcomes & benefits
Project legacy

Markets

Power & renewables
Services

Engineering & design
Location

Sheffield, UK
Client

National Grid

Jolanta Florczak

Project Manager, Net Zero Energy, Leeds, UK contact form

Tinsley Park, a key 275kV substation in Sheffield, plays a vital role in keeping homes and businesses powered. It connects to a nearby 33kV substation and houses four Supergrid Transformers (SGTs) that step down high-voltage electricity for local distribution. One of these transformers, SGT2B, had reached the end of its life and needed replacing to maintain reliability and safety.

Replacing a transformer isn’t as simple as swapping out a piece of equipment. It’s a complex engineering challenge involving civil works, electrical design, and strict compliance with National Grid standards—all while keeping the lights on for thousands of customers.

Our role

AtkinsRéalis was appointed as Principal Designer for the project, leading the detailed design and supporting construction. From the initial planning stages through to on-site delivery, our team worked hand-in-hand with National Grid to ensure the project met its goals: on time, on budget, and to the highest safety and sustainability standards.

Client challenges

Space Constraints: The existing layout left little room to manoeuvre. We had to redesign the 33kV busbar system—a modular electrical wiring solution—to meet clearance requirements without compromising safety.
Reuse of Existing Infrastructure: To reduce cost and environmental impact, the existing transformer plinth and bund—essential components in electrical substations—were reused. This required careful assessment and modification to handle the new transformer’s weight and dimensions.
Interacting Services: The old transformer sat among a web of cables and equipment. Every move had to be planned to avoid disruption.
Fire Safety: Both old and new transformers use mineral oil, which meant fire damage zones had to be recalculated and mitigated.
Data Gaps: Some suppliers couldn’t provide Computer-aided Design (CAD) drawings, so we had to innovate to maintain compliance.

Our innovative solution

Virtual site walkthroughs: We used 360° cameras during site surveys, creating immersive footage that allowed engineers to “visit” the site remotely. This reduced travel, saved costs, and cut carbon emissions.
Smart redesign: Our engineers reconfigured the busbar system to fit within tight spaces while meeting the latest standards.
Sustainability at the core: We developed a Carbon Interface Tool and a Project Sustainability Action Plan to track and reduce environmental impact throughout the project.

Outcomes & benefits

The new Siemens transformer, which was rated at 275/33kV, 120MVA, was successfully installed; ensuring Tinsley Park continues to deliver reliable power for years to come. The project was completed on schedule and within budget thanks to close collaboration between National Grid, AtkinsRéalis, and the wider project team.

Key benefits included:

Improved reliability for Sheffield’s electricity network.
Reduced carbon footprint through innovative design and virtual site visits.
Cost savings from reusing existing infrastructure and minimising site mobilisation.

Project legacy

By engineering the CORE campus, AtkinsRéalis is helping set a new benchmark for sustainable industrial energy systems, demonstrating how large energy users can operate in a net‑zero future. The project aligns directly with Ireland’s national energy transition, supporting a cleaner, more resilient and more competitive industrial base.