Renewable Energy Lifting Operations at Norfolk Solar Sites

Cadman Cranes has completed 18 planned lifts across Three Bridges Solar Farm and Attleborough Road Solar Farm, two major renewable energy projects being delivered by Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) in Norfolk.

Working across both sites over approximately two months, the Cadman team unloaded and positioned 12 inverters and six transformers as the projects progressed into their electrical installation and commissioning phases.

Project at a glance

Two significant renewable energy projects

Three Bridges and Attleborough Road each have an installed solar capacity of 25 MWp. Across the two sites, more than 70,000 solar panels have been installed over a combined area of approximately 165 acres.

Three Bridges, located near Dereham, combines 25 MWp of solar generation with a co-located 32.6 MWh battery energy storage system. Once operational, the development is expected to generate enough clean electricity to meet the annual needs of approximately 9,000 UK homes, while avoiding an estimated 4,500 tonnes of CO₂e emissions each year.

Attleborough Road is a separate 25 MWp solar development with an 18 MWac export capacity. Both projects are moving towards energisation later in 2026.

With panel installation complete, the next stage required the electrical equipment needed to convert, manage and distribute the power generated across the sites. Cadman was appointed by PACE to support this phase by unloading and placing the transformers and inverters in their designated positions.

Coordinating 18 lifts across two sites

The lifting programme was delivered in two phases.

The first covered 12 inverters, each weighing approximately 5.5 tonnes. These were followed by six transformers, including single-skid units weighing 11.5 tonnes and twin-skid units weighing up to 22.5 tonnes.

The equipment arrived on different dates, with the transformers being delivered from overseas. This meant the work could not be completed through a single mobilisation. Cadman coordinated crane availability, lifting equipment and personnel around the confirmed delivery programme, returning to each site as the units became available.

This approach gave PACE the flexibility needed to keep both construction programmes moving while ensuring the correct lifting resources were available for each phase.

Preparing the sites for lifting operations

Solar farms are commonly constructed on agricultural land, where access and ground conditions can create challenges for cranes and heavy transport vehicles.

Before the lifting operations began, Cadman surveyed both sites to assess the access routes, crane positions and rigging areas. This gave PACE a clear understanding of where ground preparation was required.

PACE prepared and reinforced the relevant roads and working areas before each mobilisation. With suitable access and stable rigging positions in place, the Cadman team could establish the crane efficiently and complete the lifts as planned.

Crane and lifting arrangement

A Liebherr LTM 1110-5.2 mobile crane was selected to complete the work across the two projects.

The lifting arrangement included a 24-tonne, three-metre modular lifting beam and four 12-tonne slings. ALI-PANS measuring 2.5 metres by 1.6 metres were positioned beneath the outriggers to distribute the crane loads across the prepared rigging areas.

Each operation was planned around the weight, dimensions and final position of the equipment. This ensured that the transformers and inverters could be safely unloaded from transport and accurately placed within the developing electrical infrastructure.

Moving both projects towards energisation

With all 18 units in position, work could continue on the electrical installation and commissioning needed to bring the solar farms into operation.

Cadman will continue to support PACE as the projects progress. The work completed to date has also established a strong foundation for future collaboration, supported by the performance of the teams across both sites.

The project adds to Cadman’s growing experience across solar generation, battery energy storage and wider energy infrastructure. It demonstrates how early site assessment, appropriate crane selection and responsive lift management can support renewable energy projects working to complex construction and delivery programmes.

Cadman Cranes provides crane hire, engineered lift planning and lift management solutions for renewable energy projects across the UK.

Planning a solar, battery storage or wider energy infrastructure project? Contact Cadman Cranes to discuss your lifting requirements.