Battersea Power Station Enabling Works

O’Keefe was one of the first major subcontractors appointed to Phase 1, carrying out the early enabling works. This included bulk excavation of 125,000 m³ of non-hazardous spoil—removed by both road and river—site clearance, probing and obstruction removal, temporary road construction, and localised sheet piling.

Extensive temporary works were installed, including movement monitoring systems and a deep-well dewatering system designed and installed with WJ Dewatering. These works enabled early drawdown and platform formation for the follow-on RC works. The sheet piling required complex design coordination, particularly near the River Thames and the existing Power Station elevations, where strict movement criteria applied.

O’Keefe also managed contamination issues linked to the site’s industrial history, including asbestos, gas, mercury, VOCs, hydrocarbons, and historic fly-tipping. Further works included excavation for pits, ground beams, drainage trenches, and chambers, followed by back blinding to prepare for Byrne Bros’ RC works.

Outcome

O’Keefe handed over a fully blinded basement to Byrne Bros for continuation of works, and was retained beyond the original contract to deliver additional excavations and civil works, including Thames Water sewer connections, external works, and river wall works. Byrne Bros then progressed with the complex RC package, enabling this landmark development to take shape on time and to the required standards.

• Contract: Battersea Power Station, Enabling Works
• Client: Carillion
• Location: Nine Elms, SW11
• Value: £35m
• Duration: 104 weeks
• Scope: Site Clearance, Obstruction Removal, Basement & Foundation Excavation, Temporary Works Design & Installation, Deep Well Watering, Piling, Berm Construction and Binding