Leveraging industrial expertise for new applications

In Naaldwijk, Mourik, SPIE, and TenneT worked together as a single team to construct a high voltage substation at Westerlee. A technically complex project carried out on a small site above an underground high-voltage line. The project demonstrates how Mourik applies its industrial expertise outside the traditional industry.

A technically challenging project

The site chosen for the building at the Westerlee station was challenging. Building on a high-voltage cable route makes the project technically complicated. Nevertheless, the building was completed safely and on time.

Mourik’s industrial experience proved valuable here. Dennis Lauw, chief supervisor at Mourik Industry, explains: “Because we frequently work in challenging locations in the industrial sector, we have developed specific methods for these situations. For this project, we started by digging pile caps into the ground so we could safely drive piles between the high-voltage cables.”

It wasn’t just the location that required smart solutions. “The building houses a GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) installation and transformers. These cause vibrations, which meant there were specific requirements for the construction,” says Leo Fokker, project manager at Mourik Industry. “By working together to find solutions, we were able to take SPIE’s basic design and developed it into a final, construction-ready design.”

The building is part of the expansion of the high-voltage grid. With these new installations, the grid capacity is increased, which is necessary for a reliable energy supply in the Westland area.

Collaboration as the key

Open collaboration made the difference here. Laura Sparenburg, site manager at TenneT: “The collaboration with SPIE and Mourik is really going very well. Mourik handles everything related to the building. They do it quickly, they do it right, and they do it safely.”

The site itself also demands vigilance. Dennis: “It’s intensive and dangerous work. You’re working in a small area, close to high-voltage cables. You really need to be able to trust each other.”

That collaboration is confirmed by SPIE. Leon Hageman, site manager at SPIE: “We needed a party specialized in working at challenging locations. Mourik was the most specialized party and was willing to take on this challenge. The collaboration is going well, with short lines of communication and a lot of collaborative thinking.”

Leo looks back with satisfaction: “Everything went safely and well, within the schedule and within budget. I’m quite proud of that.”

The Westerlee reactor building demonstrates how Mourik applies its industrial experience to the energy infrastructure, creating new opportunities beyond the traditional industry. By collaborating with SPIE and TenneT from the design stage and maintaining sharp focus during execution, this project contributes to a reliable and future-proof energy grid.