In late 2018, National Grid IFA2 welcomed students from Portsmouth University to carry out a business consultancy project within the IFA2 project as part of their degrees, the IFA2 Employment and Skills Plan and the ongoing commitment to engage with the local community.

Joining the IFA2 project team in November 2018, five business undergraduates were tasked with two projects targeted around the work due to take place at Monks Hill Beach and the delivery of the public open space north of Daedalus Airfield whilst, applying knowledge that they have learnt throughout their time at the university.

With the first of the two projects now complete, students have designed a series of panels, which will be transferred onto site hoardings highlighting the work that is scheduled to take place at Monks Hill Beach; where both the HVAC and HVDC cables will come onshore. Given the public nature of these works, the students also needed to explain various health and safety signs and symbols to inform members of the public to keep safe around the IFA2 construction site.

Returning in 2019, the students will then begin their next project, supporting the delivery of the public open space.

David Luetchford, head of IFA2 said: “We are thrilled to have students from Portsmouth University working with us on the IFA2 project. Ensuring that our site hoarding is both informative and educational for the local community is vital for us to meet the expectations of Fareham Borough Council. We are committed to delivering an appropriate level of communication and community engagement with the various stakeholders and members of the local community who use this public space.

At National Grid, we are always looking for new opportunities to engage local students in the different types of careers and work experience opportunities that National Grid offer. For more information please contact: info@ifa2interconnector.com.”

One of the students from Portsmouth University said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed our time so far working with the IFA2 project team. The experience has given us a real insight into how to apply our university learning into real business consultancy scenarios.”

Working with its contractor I&H Brown, National Grid IFA2 has announced that the carbon impact for the new public open space will be neutral.*

As a socially responsible civil engineering organisation, I&H Brown pride themselves on reducing their environmental impact by counteracting its greenhouse gas emissions through a long-term forestry project. Where managed on a long-term basis, forests are seen as greenhouse gas sinks for carbon sequestration purposes.

The Open Space Development’s carbon footprint and emissions will be offset by planting a mixture of trees in the 620-hectare forest which I&H Brown maintains offsite, in addition to the planting on the Open Space Development (link older article). Since 2013, I&H Brown estimate that through woodland management, they have had an annual footprint offset of -3,950.50 CO2e per year.

The work being carried out by I&H Brown at the IFA2 site includes the reuse of ~36,000m3 of soil on site. This soil is being used to create the numerous earth bunds that screen the converter station buildings, as well as providing viewing platforms over sections of the Solent Airport.

David Luetchford, head of IFA2 said: “Our new open space contractor is working hard to deliver the public open space at the Daedalus site. We’re pleased that in partnership with I&H Brown, we will be able to deliver a public open space that has a neutral carbon impact.

Work is progressing well, and we’re now working to enhance the connectivity of the site by establishing the various footpaths and cycleways throughout the space for the public to enjoy in the future.”

*Carbon emissions are calculated and reported in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) following recommended best practice

We have been working with the Southern IFCA to carry out an oyster translocation programme to support local regeneration of the native oyster population in the Solent. As part of the IFA2 project, we have recently funded the chartering of a local fishing vessel in the Lee-on-Solent to Chilling area to collect data on and mitigate the impact to the native oyster populations over the HVAC cable route.

The Solent Oyster Restoration Project, set up by marine conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE), seeks to rebuild the Solent’s native oyster population by restoring habitats in partnership with local fisherman, marine and local authorities and scientists. Through the funding we have provided to the Southern IFCA, local fishermen have been working with BLUE to collect oysters on the IFA2 route. The oysters collected are then moved to broodstock cages where they can contribute towards restoring the once self-sustaining oyster population.

The native oyster, Ostrea edulis, has been found in the Solent since the 1970s. Historically seen as Europe’s largest self-sustaining flat (native) oyster fishery in its peak, the oyster population has recently declined, affecting fishermen and the overall health of the marine ecosystems in the Solent. Temporary closures of oyster harvesting have been in place in recent years to avoid further loss of the native oyster population and allow remaining adult oysters in the Solent to reproduce and act as a breeding stock.

Dave Luetchford, head of IFA2 said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting the Solent Oyster Restoration Project. This is a great opportunity to make a contribution to conservation in the Solent, helping to restore to the region’s once self-sustaining oyster population, supporting employment in the oyster fishery and thereby the local economy, as well as improving biodiversity and water quality in the Solent.”