Tesla Lithium Temporary Power – Bay LTD I&E
We want to recognize the accomplishments of our I&E crew for their outstanding efforts during the installation of electrical infrastructure at Tesla’s Lithium facility in Robstown TX. On Sunday May 7th our I&E crew consisting of Basilio Hernandez, Albert Lopez, Brian Heyz II, Don Stuyvesant, Enrique Suarez, Caesar Collaso, Sean Vickers, John Ornellas, Patrick Leiwig, all led by PM Chris Gonzales, and with the technical design and Quality assurance assistance of Kevin Keintz, completed the installation of temporary electrical power infrastructure at the Tesla site in Robstown, TX.
This might sound like an ordinary day / activity for an electrical crew, but this project was anything but ordinary. Six weeks or so ago, this site was a crop field. With the hard work of Bay’s Civil Crew, clearing and grubbing turned into a built-up pad with caliche & reclaim. Due to rain delays slowing the civil crews and scope changes, the I&E crew was not able to mobilize to site until Thursday May 4th, with the task of having electrical infrastructure in place for Tesla’s Lithium Refinery groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Monday May 8th. Tesla came to us on Tuesday, explaining that they did not want generator power, and that they had agreement with AEP to install residential electrical distribution across CR 28 and down the western edge of the pad build-up. From there, we were to install two temporary power poles, along with underground conduit, cable, a manhole, and two large distribution panels on a large support frame.
We were also tasked to get Tesla’s IT trailer powered up on generator power immediately, with the flexibility to have a cut-over to the permanent power upon energization. In addition, we were asked to install a third electrical panel / support and distribution to nine Tesla EV car charging stations.
Our team received materials for the two temporary power drops at noon on Wednesday and pre-assembled the poles at the Corpus yard that afternoon. On Thursday, we mobilized to site, and with the assistance of Chuck Cluiss, Carl Payne, Patrick Wheat & his crew, Pato Medrano and the equipment operator and his spotter, Jorge Garcia & Joe Deleon, we were able to install all the electrical infrastructure in four days, with no injuries and no incidents.
These folks worked extended hours to make our clients groundbreaking ceremony happen as smoothly as possible, and flawlessly executed the installation in the face of scope changes and challenges. These efforts are greatly appreciated, and speak to the quality of workers and culture at Bay LTD.
Thank you all for your efforts and excellent work.
G. Keith Rowe
Regional I&E Operations Manager, Bay Ltd.