Siemens Security Solutions has secured a major contract to provide an integrated security and communications solution at a new underground natural gas storage facility in Cheshire.

The new facility is being constructed for Storengy (a company of the GDF SUEZ Group) as part of a strategy to expand its presence in the growing UK gas storage market.  The UK gas market is the largest in Europe and with imports of natural gas set to increase as North Sea production declines, flexible and secure supply of gas to meet the nation’s needs is set to be supported by an enhanced national gas storage capability. The new Cheshire site is part of this expansion.

The Fire Safety and Security team at Siemens will provide an integrated security and communication system at the site which is designed to hold over 400 million cubic metres of gas underground and is expected to be in operation for at least 25 years.  The system will include a number of features to ensure the site is safe and secure for employees and deters intruders. These features include CCTV, perimeter intrusion, access control, telephony, mobile communications and intercom facilities which will be located at various points across the site such as site fence and office administration buildings, the on-site National Grid Transmission System compound, wellheads and the site entrance from the main road.

The integration of all security and communication applications is undertaken through Siemens’ own Siveillance Fusion command and control platform to enable operators to undertake proactive monitoring of the site as well as manage employee and visitor access.

Dave Pickles, business unit head for UK Fire Safety and Security within the Siemens Building Technologies division, comments: “We are delighted to have been given this opportunity to work with Storengy. Guaranteeing the security of critical infrastructure assets such as gas storage facilities plays a vital role in meeting the UK’s demand for energy.

“We have specialised expertise and extensive experience to meet the exacting requirements of the energy and wider utilities sector, and our integrated and intelligence-led security solution is a proven approach.  This system is designed to ensure security risks are kept to a minimum and the safety of employees and visitors alike is supported.”