High-Performance Sand used at Crays Halls Solar Farm
LOCATION
Crays Hall, Billericay,
Essex, CM11 2TX
SECTOR
Energy
PRODUCTS USED
THE BRIEF
A new solar farm in Essex requires a specification of an unbound sand that meets the thermal standards of ENATS 97-1 for trench backfill. Contractors Robinson & Lawlor needed the ideal solution for their turnkey enterprise with Greencells Group at the Crays Hall Solar Farm.
Stephanie Freeman from our Garside Specialist Sands team in Leighton Buzzard, was happy to provide SuperSand 97-1. This material helps drive decarbonisation and increase the availability of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power in our communities. Our involvement in solar farms allows us to play our part in enabling the UK to transition to net zero.
What we achieved in numbers
2535
Tonnes of SuperSand 97-1 used
88
Transport trucks used
5830
Meters of AC trenches dug (3.6miles)
Solution
We’re driving positive change in the utilities sector, and we’re proud to work with Robinson & Lawlor on this major solar farm installation. Once completed, Crays Hall Solar farm will generate enough electricity to power 5,210 UK homes.
Our specialist sands deliver high-performance solutions for critical infrastructure. Supersand 97-1 is a high-specification bedding aggregate technically specified for energy projects. More than just fill, it’s a vital component that manages the thermal environment around power cables and pipes in-situ. It easily maintains operational efficiency without the risk of overheating.
Jason Broughton, Regional Technical Manager at Holcim said, “Supersand 97-1's specification makes it the ideal and dependable solution for sensitive trench installations. Acting as a consistent heat sink it efficiently draws heat away from high-voltage cables, ensuring their long-term performance and efficiency. As a bedding material this sand offers excellent compaction properties that allow for maximum density and a stable installation with minimal voids.”
This is critical for utility use as high, uniform compaction eliminates air pockets that could otherwise trap heat or lead to settlement, preventing the cables from shifting and maintaining optimal protective support throughout their service life.
“Working with Stephanie and the Garside team on the Crays Hall Solar Farm was fantastic. From the outset, Steff’'s expertise and support made specifying the right material incredibly straightforward. SuperSand 97 was the ideal solution—it ticked every box for the ENATS 97-1 thermal standards and delivered the reliable compaction we needed for a critical installation like this. The product and the service were both superb, ensuring we could maintain the tight project schedule while guaranteeing the long-term performance of the cable infrastructure.”
Daniel Robinson
Project Manager at Robinson & Lawlor
Our SuperSand also ensures improved drainage. While organic-rich soils or clay hold onto moisture, our sand allows for better water run-off, which is beneficial for the long-term stability and integrity of the entire installation. Ultimately, Supersand 97-1 provides a consistent and uniform aggregate for backfilling utility trenches, ensuring that vital cables and pipes are properly protected and supported for decades to come.
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