Stedin: Gerbrandyweg switching station and transformer cells

About the Project

The growing energy demand of businesses in the Port of Rotterdam required decisive action from grid operator Stedin. One of the key themes in the energy transition is the ability to switch more swiftly and frequently between various energy sources; both conventional and renewable.
New switching stations are a vital part of the solution. Vicoma and Stedin have enjoyed a long-standing collaboration in this area, and once again, Stedin turned to us for support.
This station was developed in parallel with two others on the Maasvlakte. From the outset, Stedin expressed a clear wish for the stations to be designed in a single, recognisable architectural style.

Vicoma’s Role

Drawing on our extensive knowledge and experience in energy distribution and switching stations, we managed the entire design process; from concept to construction-ready documentation. We coordinated all involved disciplines, both internally and externally.

Thanks to our design visualisations, we were able to convincingly demonstrate the quality of the plan to the spatial planning committee.
The station’s location outside the dykes required close consultation with Rijkswaterstaat and the Port Authority. Given the risk of high water levels, we proposed a split-level solution to ensure an efficient connection to the power grid, while maintaining ample space for primary electricity transport.
This proven concept reflects our operational expertise and the careful balance we strike between cost, feasibility, and safety. Quick and efficient access for maintenance and repairs following any incidents was also a decisive factor in the decision-making process.

Result

Stedin praised the functional integration of their technical specifications and additional requirements. The result is a new complex on Gerbrandyweg, comprising a 150/21 kV switching station and transformer cells, that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally well-integrated into its surroundings.