GAP Hire Solutions and PMK Civil Engineering Limited

• Project Duration: March 2023 – October 2024
• Project Scope: Whitehillock Cable Run covering 10km to 20km across farmland
• Key Infrastructure Elements:
  • 2 x 400kVA Joint Bays in 1a and 2a: These are designated locations where high-voltage cables are connected using jointing bays. Each of the bays supports electrical connections with a capacity of 400kVA, ensuring efficient power distribution along the cable route.
  • Additional jointing bays: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23: These numbered locations are additional sections along the cable route where cables are joined, playing a critical role in maintaining electrical continuity across the 300km stretch.

PMK aimed to efficiently lay high-voltage cables while maintaining cost control and minimising environmental impact. However, they faced several challenges:

• Managing water levels at jointing bays: Excavated sites were prone to flooding, potentially delaying progress.
• Ensuring fuel efficiency: Reducing emissions and fuel costs while maintaining performance.
• Adapting to changing site conditions: The remote farmland terrain required flexible equipment solutions.

GAP supplied a range of innovative and environmentally friendly equipment, including:

• Raptor 4” Mobile Pumps: Highly mobile, providing flexible solutions for water management across different locations.
• Atlas 4” Static Pumps: Effective for pumping needs with high efficiency.
• Float Switches: Ensured pumps only operated when needed, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption and minimising noise pollution.

The equipment was instrumental in clearing water from jointing bays while PMK ran high-voltage cables across 300km of farmland. The Stage V engines on all pump sets significantly reduced fuel consumption, contributing to lower emissions and improved environmental performance.

• Flexible Equipment Placement: GAP’s mobile pumps adapted to changing site conditions, ensuring effective water management.
• Fuel & Cost Efficiency: Float switches optimised fuel consumption and minimised site disruption.
• Engineering Support and Maintenance: GAP provided rapid response support, preventing downtime and ensuring smooth project execution.

Danny Jones, Director, at PMK confirmed GAP met performance expectations and gave confidence that PMK would use GAP services again on future projects.

The project delivered several key benefits:

• Environmental Impact: Stage V engines and float switches minimised emissions and noise pollution.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Optimised fuel consumption and reduced downtime resulted in significant cost savings.
• Operational Confidence: PMK’s trust in GAP’s expert services paves the way for future collaborations.

GAP Hire Solutions continues to be a trusted hire partner in providing innovative, sustainable, and reliable solutions for the electrical transmission sector. They ensure that complex projects—like PMK’s Whitehillock Cable Run—are delivered efficiently, on time, and with minimal environmental impact.