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TenneT Wintrack Masts
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Safety Circle steps used in this project
The client
TenneT is preparing the Dutch electricity grid for the future. New high-voltage connections, Wintrack masts, have been developed for this.
VolkerWessels Telecom was contracted by TenneT to provide delivery and assembly of the masts. Eurosafe has provided the fall protection for these Wintrack masts.
The requirements
In order to be able to maintain the Wintrack pylons safely and efficiently, TenneT has been looking for sustainable and user-friendly climbing and safety solutions.
The solutions must be able to allow the worker to climb safely inside the masts and to be able to carry out work responsibly on the outside. After all, safety at the top is key.
The solutions
TenneT selected the high-quality HighStep Rail system for safely climbing the masts on the outside. On the inside, the solution provided was the sustainable MSA Latchways LadderLatch cable systems. VolkerWessels Telecom, responsible for the construction of the Wintrack mast, then went in search of a reliable partner to install these systems safely and in accordance with the regulations. Eurosafe was employed as a specialist in safe working at height with a proven track record.
Eurosafe and VolkerWessels Telecom work closely together when it comes to safe working at height. This assignment therefore fitted seamlessly with that. Where VolkerWessels Telecom designs, builds and maintains well-thought-out and future-oriented telecoms infrastructures, Eurosafe offers support in creating a safe situation for work at height.
The results
HighStep rail system was installed on the outside of Wintrack masts
Latchways cable system was installed on the inside of Wintrack masts
Trained Eurosafe staff to assemble, inspect and maintain HighStep and Latchways systems
Background TenneT Wintrack masts
The Dutch electricity grid is an important link in the North European electricity network. There are three connections with Germany, two with Belgium, one with Norway and one with England.
Doetinchem-Wesel 380 kV is a fourth connection between the Netherlands and Germany. The connection is necessary for three reasons:
The further development of a single North-West European electricity market.
Such a market is an important goal of the European Commission and of the Minister of Economic Affairs. With sufficient transport capacity, electricity can be generated at the place where it is cheapest. The new connection is needed to enable the Netherlands to play along as well as possible. The importance of Doetinchem-Wesel 380 kV has been recognized by the EU, which has regarded it as a 'Project of Common Interest'.The reliability of the electricity system.
If, for example, a large power plant fails in the Netherlands, other power plants must immediately absorb this. This can be a central location in the Netherlands, but also abroad. That is why there must be sufficient national and international high-voltage connections.More space for sustainable electricity.
Electricity is increasingly being generated with sustainable sources such as wind turbines and solar panels, both in the Netherlands and in other European countries. However, the yield of wind and solar energy is not constant. If the wind is not blowing or the sun is not shining, the production will remain low. Then the electricity demand must be met quickly in a different way. For this too, it is important to have good national and international high-voltage connections.
