Gatwick Airport – 11kV Stilted Substation
Working in partnership with Schneider Electric to deliver fully turnkey 11kV stilted substation solution.
The Challenge
Airport infrastructure projects demand absolute precision, particularly when works interface directly with live runways and critical airside systems.
Key challenges included:
· Installation within a scheduled runway closure window ahead of the peak Christmas travel period
· Operating within a highly constrained airside environment
· Managing lifting operations in close proximity to a radar tower
· Delivering a solution that met stringent aviation safety, security, and compliance requirements
Any delay or disruption could have had significant operational and commercial implications for the airport.
B&S Group Solution
B&S Group delivered the second phase of a fully turnkey 11kV substation solution, designed and manufactured to meet Gatwick Airport’s operational and spatial constraints.
The solution included:
· A bespoke 11kV substation measuring 10.7m x 3.7m
· An elevated 900mm stilted sub-structure, complete with integrated stairway access
· Full coordination of delivery, lifting, and installation works
· Seamless integration with Schneider Electric equipment
To mitigate the risk of interference with nearby radar infrastructure, B&S Group worked closely with Southern Cranes & Access Ltd, deploying two cranes in a tandem lift rather than a single taller crane — ensuring safe, controlled placement within the restricted airspace.
Outcome
The substation was successfully delivered and installed within the planned runway closure window, avoiding disruption to airport operations and the busy Christmas flight schedule.
This project demonstrates a key advantage of B&S Group’s turnkey substation solutions: reduced on-site risk, compressed installation programmes, and reliable delivery within highly constrained operational environments.
Why Choose B&S Group
We work as a trusted engineering partner, delivering power infrastructure that supports the UK’s transition to a resilient, low-carbon energy future.
Over 30 years of engineering expertise
In-house fabrication and integrated delivery
Proven experience in regulated and safety-critical environments
A focus on quality, compliance, and long-term performance
Project Overview
B&S Group was appointed to deliver a fully turnkey 11kV stilted substation solution at Gatwick Airport, supporting the ongoing expansion of one of the UK’s busiest international transport hubs.
Working in partnership with Schneider Electric, the project required the design, manufacture, delivery, and installation of a high-voltage substation within one of the most tightly controlled operational environments in the UK aviation sector.
Client:
Schneider Electric
End User:
Gatwick Airport
Sector:
Critical National Infrastructure
Airports
Capability:
11kV Substations
Turnkey Power Solutions
Complex Lifting & Installation