By Renewable Energy Focus staff

The first booster, which has been designated by National Grid as a spare unit, will be designed and manufactured in 2012, whilst the second will be manufactured in 2013 for installation at Penwortham Substation near Preston, Lancashire.

Alstom Grid says: “The North West of England is experiencing a huge surge in the growth and development of wind farms located off the shore of Cumbria. The Quadrature Booster implemented at Penwortham will allow National Grid to control the increased power flows generated by them and optimise the load sharing in this part of the network.”

Delivery and commissioning of the boosters is expected to commence during 2013 and 2014.