Project Summary
OCS, formerly FES Support Services (“OCS”), was appointed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to design, supply, and install a new 11kV infrastructure and fibre network at RAF Lossiemouth. The project was a key part of the wider £350 million Lossiemouth Development Programme, a six-year investment completed in July 2024 to prepare the base for additional Typhoon fighter aircraft and the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol fleet.
Headline Figures
- £9.24m contract value
- New 33kV & 11kV infrastructure installed
- High Voltage substations upgraded and integrated
- 10MVA new grid supply and additional 11kV standby generation
- Zero unplanned outages during delivery
Project Scope
RAF Lossiemouth is among the UK’s most strategically important air bases, hosting both Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoons and the UK’s maritime patrol capabilities. The station operates 54 11kV substations across a large and complex site.
The scope of work involved excavating and reinstating a fully ducted infrastructure to support new 11kV cabling and fibre networks. A new intake substation was designed and built, alongside integrating the upgraded system into the existing base operations.
To support the base’s expansion, the contract also included:
- A new 10MVA supply connection from the local grid
- Additional standby generation capacity for essential loads
- Diversion, relocation, and replacement of existing HV and LV networks and utility connections
Seamless Electrical Changeovers
The team successfully delivered changeovers across all 54 substations without disrupting base operations. Precise planning and close collaboration with the MOD and its Facilities Management contractor ensured that both the new and existing networks remained operational throughout the works.
A comprehensive power system model of the network was created using advanced analysis software. This facilitated the seamless integration of the new facilities, enhancing resilience and ensuring the base’s upgraded infrastructure could meet long-term operational needs.
Quality, Safety, and Specialist Knowledge
The project was delivered under an NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract.
OCS’s prior experience, having installed the base’s HV network in 2015, provided unique knowledge of the site’s infrastructure, including buried sensitive services, fault history, and interoperability requirements.
The programme was completed on time, with high standards of workmanship and an exemplary safety record. All works were carefully planned to minimise disruption within a live operational environment.
“From start to finish, throughout this project everyone involved from OCS have shown to be professional, reliable and were eager to promote a collaborative approach which was essential with so many stakeholders involved in this complex project.
The HV technical knowledge within the team is impressive and their ability to pass this on through training on the new SCADA system was invaluable to the local site team, they are always on hand to offer support and advice well past handover, the service provided really is above and beyond what is expected.
I take personal pride from being involved in this successful project and it was a pleasure working alongside all involved.”
Marc Whyte
M&E Manager for Scotland North DIO
