EPES Team Nominated for RWE Mission Zero Hero Reward Coin Following Garnedd Hydro Transformer Replacement

The Mission Zero programme is RWE’s global safety initiative aimed at achieving zero accidents and zero harm in the workplace.

The initiative promotes a strong safety culture across all RWE operations by ensuring that everyone involved in a project, from employees, contractors, and partners alike, takes responsibility for working safely and protecting those around them.

Mission Zero is built around the following four behaviours:

• We are positive role models
• We share and spread learning
• We don’t walk by
• We work safely or not at all

By embedding these behaviours into all work that takes place on RWE sites, it is ensured that:

Safety Comes First – No task is so urgent that it cannot be done safely.

Clear Safety Rules and Procedures are followed – Including the 12 RWE Life Saving Rules, which define critical safety requirements for high-risk activities.

Proactive Risk Management – Using tools such as Last-Minute Risk Assessments (LMRA) to identify and mitigate any unforeseen risks before work begins.

Empowering People to Speak Up – Everyone on site has the authority to stop work if they believe conditions are unsafe.

Recognition of Safe Behaviour – Initiatives such as the Mission Zero Reward Hero Coin recognise individuals or teams who demonstrate exceptional commitment to safe working.

By promoting careful planning, communication, and accountability at every stage of a project, the programme helps ensure the highest operational standards while protecting the people delivering the work.

The Project – Garnedd Hydro Power Station

Garnedd Hydro Power Station was originally commissioned in 1991, and many of the key plant items at the site date back to the original installation.

Among these was an 800 kVA, 11kV / 433V distribution transformer, responsible for stepping up the generator output voltage for connection to the local distribution network.

As part of routine condition monitoring, oil samples from the transformer were analysed to assess the health of the insulation system. Through analysis of furanic compounds within the transformer oil, engineers were able to estimate the Degree of Polymerisation (DP) of the internal paper insulation.

The results indicated that the insulation had degraded to the point where the transformer had reached the end of its operational life, meaning replacement was required to maintain the reliability and safety of the hydro generation facility.

Selecting a Safer and More Sustainable Replacement

Because the transformer is installed inside the power station building, careful consideration was given to fire safety and compliance with IEC 61936-1, which is the international standard covering electrical installations above 1 kV.

After evaluating several options and considering the physical constraints of the installation space, a MIDEL-filled transformer was selected as the most suitable replacement.

This solution offered several key advantages.

Firstly, the use of MIDEL ester-based fluid significantly reduces fire risk compared with traditional mineral oil, making it particularly well-suited for indoor installations.

Secondly, the choice improved the environmental performance of the installation. This was an important factor as Garnedd Hydro Power Station is located within Snowdonia National Park, where environmental considerations are particularly important. MIDEL fluids are biodegradable and have a lower environmental impact, making them well-suited to installations in environmentally sensitive areas.

Finally, the new transformer meets Ecodesign Tier 2 efficiency requirements, reducing operational losses and improving overall efficiency. This improvement is expected to result in approximately 5 MWh of additional renewable energy exported to the local distribution network each year.

Delivering the Project Safely

From the earliest planning stages through to the final installation, our team placed a strong emphasis on structured preparation and risk management.

Comprehensive Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) were prepared ahead of the works, clearly outlining the project scope, identifying potential hazards, and defining the control measures required to manage risk effectively.

However, what truly set the project apart was how these preparations were implemented on-site.

Before work began, the team conducted a detailed review of the RAMS at the point of work, alongside RWE’s Last Minute Risk Assessment (LMRA) process. This ensured every member of the working party had a clear understanding of the task, the associated risks, and the measures required to carry out the work safely.

Managing a Challenging Transformer Exchange

The transformer replacement required a wide range of technical skills and careful coordination.

The project began with the controlled draining of the existing transformer oil, with full awareness of environmental risks and appropriate containment measures in place.

With the transformer located inside the building and access restricted, removing the existing unit required careful planning and precise manoeuvring. Our team successfully removed the transformer from the building and coordinated its collection with the transport contractor.

The installation of the new transformer was carried out with the same structured and methodical approach.

In addition to the physical installation, the project included:

• 11 kV cable jointing
• Low-voltage cabling installation
• Instrumentation wiring and terminations

Completing this work safely required the team to demonstrate a broad range of competencies, combining mechanical handling, high-voltage electrical work, and detailed installation tasks within a restricted working environment.

Recognition Through a Mission Zero Nomination

Following the successful completion of the works, Matthew Cartlidge, Electrical Engineer at RWE Generation UK PLC, formally nominated the EPES contracting team for a Mission Zero Hero Reward Coin.

In his nomination, he commented:

“I would like to nominate the E.P.E.S. contracting team for a Mission Zero coin in recognition of their outstanding performance.

E.P.E.S. produced comprehensive and well-structured RAMS in advance of the works, clearly identifying the scope, associated hazards and required control measures to achieve an acceptable level of residual risk.

Importantly, they demonstrated the true value of this preparation by carrying out a detailed review of their RAMS at the point of work, in addition to the RWE LMRA. This ensured that every member of the working party fully understood the task, the risks involved and the mitigations in place.”

He also highlighted the professionalism demonstrated throughout the works:

“Throughout the transformer exchange, the team adhered strictly to their documented controls. They carefully drained the transformer oil with full awareness of environmental risks, safely removed the existing transformer from the building in a restricted and challenging access area, and coordinated its collection efficiently with the transport company.”

The Team Behind the Achievement

We are incredibly proud of the EPES engineers who delivered this project:

• Tom Moulton
• Josh Beighton
• Jordan Webster
• Matt Booth

Their teamwork, preparation, and commitment to safe working ensured the project was completed successfully and without incident.

Projects like this highlight the professionalism and dedication that our engineers bring to every job. By maintaining high standards of safety, communication, and technical execution, the team not only ensured the work was completed efficiently but also demonstrated the level of care and responsibility that our customers expect when working with EPES.

We are especially pleased to see our team representing EPES so well on-site.

Proud of Our People

Being nominated for a Mission Zero Hero Reward Coin is recognition of more than simply completing a project and a job; it highlights a team’s dedication to safety, careful planning, and professional execution.

At EPES, we are extremely proud of our team for receiving this nomination. Their work at Garnedd Hydro Power Station reflects the high standards we aim to deliver on every project and the strong safety culture that underpins everything we do.