UKAEA CULHAM CAMPUS RING MAIN
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
The project provided critical power and utility capacity to facilitate the future expansion of the UKAEA’s world leading research facility in fusion energy. The project designed and installed power, water and data distribution capability throughout a section of the campus.
The project
The site was at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Campus Science Park in Abingdon, and the installation of utilities covered a 2km route along the northeast corner of the campus. The project involved excavation of trenching, installation of ducting for utility services, subsequent back filling of the trenches and relaying a concrete roadway in the furthest corner of the route. Road resurfacing and a junction layout change, where trench excavation and backfilling had been undertaken along the campus thoroughfare was one of the finishing touches of the works.
The installation methodology was to work simultaneously across the 4 No legs of the 2km route. Most of the route was brownfield although the stretch of the route was along a main campus road which had to always remain operational during the working week.
The expertise and experience provided by Enable Infrastructure, Enable Hire, Enable Resourcing, and Enable Design was key to the success of this project and to future-proof this national centre of innovation.
With our proven expertise in the design, installation, and commissioning of essential power networks, Enable Infrastructure is well placed to deliver future phases on behalf of this globally acclaimed client.
The challenge
Planning, environmental, sustainability and social value were key considerations and objectives for the client.
The solution
As a condition of planning archaeologists were required to attend during trench excavation to ensure that any artefacts found could be preserved. Some minor items were recovered and sent for conservation.
An area along the route was in a field that had previously not been excavated. Enable carried out a Preliminary Environmental Assessment to ensure protected habitats were not going to be disturbed as a result of the planned excavation. A soil management plan and regular environmental audits were undertaken to ensure the project complied with environmental regulation.
The location of new assets was required to avoid tree lines, and this was a fundamental principle guiding design from the start. All trees were preserved throughout the excavated route.
Works on the main road through the campus were carried out at weekends and overnight. Traffic management was deployed to minimise disruption to the campus and maintain campus operations and allow completion of the works.
Due to the scale of the campus expansion other works were underway. Collaboration and coordination were required, particularly regarding deliveries and plant movement, while ensuring access for other work sites was retained. The Enable site team managed campus stakeholders with consideration and sensitivity to ensure works could proceed as planned, whilst always maintaining campus operations.
Materials used for the Ring Main Unit housing were sensitive to planning considerations and timber rather than GRP was preferred.
The trenches were backfilled with as much of the material that had been dug out during excavation to recycle material and reduce the carbon footprint from the removal of uncontaminated materials from site. 75% of excavated material was reused in this way. This supported both Enable and UKAEA’s carbon zero commitments.
To reduce the use of traditional combustible fuels and associated emissions for welfare on site, the Enable site compound was powered using a UKAEA power supply and the generator and battery backup system were removed from site.
Local suppliers were selected to ensure infrastructure funding benefitted the local area as well as reducing transport distances. Concrete cutting, and road surfacing and sweeping were key contributors in support of this strategy.
Site waste such as plastic and timber was recycled and donated to local community recycling projects.
Enable became a corporate supporter for the 2025 ATOM Festival of Science and Technology held annually in Abingdon near Oxford, to engage with the local community to promote science and technology as part of UKAEA and Enable’s commitment to leaving a legacy through social value initiatives.
The deliverables
- 2 x 11kV High Voltage ring mains to strengthen power supply
- 6 Ring Main Units (RMUs) for enhanced electrical distribution
- Water main and data infrastructure to support site expansion
- Comprehensive utility corridor development
- 1782m of ground excavation and roadworks to improve access
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