As Connah’s Quay is situated in an environmentally sensitive area and close to residential areas a fast track construction programme was stipulated that would bring the station into full operation within 38 months.

This would ensure that the local residents would not be disturbed any more than necessary while the station was being built. It also ensured that the first of the four units could start operation as quickly as possible to return the initial investment. To meet the deadline the entire process was planned in meticulous detail. Construction started on 31 July 1993, while the first components for the plant went into production work began on the buildings that would house them.

By July 1994 the first steel work for unit 1 was going up and by January 1995 the project was well advanced. The plant was preassembled offsite and transported to Connah’s Quay in prefabricated modules. That way the equipment could be installed as quickly and efficiently as possible, cutting site work to a minimum. Timing was critical, both for the team, and for the birds out in the estuary.

By May 1996, all 4 units were well on track for full operation. Throughout the construction process the team kept detailed records, that way any lessons they learnt could be used to advantage on other projects around the world. It was just one of many pioneering initiatives by the Connah’s Quay team.