Energetics Multi Utilities

A guide to independent utilities for industrial
and commercial developments


“Independent utility connections are safe, robust, fit-for-purpose networks”


Glossary
Contestable work: Utilities connection work that is open to competition, including design and construction of networks (i.e. cable laying, construction of substations and transformers) and associated civil engineering.
Distribution network: Takes electricity or gas from the transmission network (having converted it into lower voltages or pressures) and carries it to homes and businesses.
Distribution Network Operator (DNO): A statutory utility company that owns and operates a regional electricity network.
Energy supplier: A company that buys electricity or gas on the wholesale market and sells it to customers.
Gas Distribution Network Operator (GDNO): A statutory utility company that owns and operates a regional gas network.
Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS): The Lloyd’s Register Group accreditation scheme for Independent Connection Providers designing and building new gas networks.
Independent Connection Provider (ICP): An independent company that designs and builds electricity, gas or water utility networks for new developments.
Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO): An independent company that owns and operates local electricity networks, earning revenue through distribution charges as part of end-users’ utility bills.
Independent Gas Transporter (IGT): An independent company that owns and operates local gas networks, earning revenue through distribution charges as part of end-users’ utility bills.
Multi-utilities connection provider: An independent company that designs and builds networks for more than one utility, often as part of the same contract.
National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS): The Lloyd’s Register Group accreditation scheme for Independent Connection Providers designing and building new electricity networks.
Non-contestable work: Work not open to competition, that must be carried out by the host statutory utility company. This includes network reinforcement, final connection to the mains network and approvals and inspections of contestable work.
Ofgem: The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets regulates the gas and electricity networks and the competitive markets in gas and electricity supply and retail.
Point of connection (POC): Where a new local utility network joins to the main (regional) network.
Transmission network: Carries high voltage electricity (up to 400kV) or high pressure gas (up to 85bar) over long distances from power stations and gas terminals.
Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS):The Lloyd’s Register Group accreditation scheme for Independent Connection Providers designing and building new
water networks.
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“Independent connection providers can offer attractive commercial terms, increased flexibility and innovative engineering to help ensure projects are delivered on time and to budget.””
Bill McClymont, Energetics


Foreword
It goes without saying that the privatisation of the UK gas and electricity markets in the 1980s, followed by the introduction of competition in both supply and connections in the late 1990s, marked a significant point in the utilities industry.
Post-deregulation, developers have had the choice to stick with the statutory utility companies or to work with an Independent Connection Provider to design and build new utility connections for their schemes. Legislation also allowed these ‘local’ networks to be operated independently, by Independent Distribution Network Operators for electricity and by Independent Gas Transporters for gas.
Independent connection providers and network operators are very well-established, many of them having been founded in the early years of competition. These organisations are subject to the same, and in some cases even stricter, licensing and regulation as the statutory utility companies, with Government ensuring independents remain financially and operationally secure and networks remain operational, in the case of emergencies or if they cease trading (no independent network operator has ever been made insolvent, however).
As such, independent utility connections are safe, robust, fit-for-purpose networks that present no more risk than those built and operated by the statutory utility companies.
It is worth noting that, while the industrial and commercial sectors have been slow to take up the opportunities presented by competition in connections, most national house builders choose independently designed, built and operated utilities and some landmark projects, including the London Olympic
With utility connections cited as a major cause of construction delays, independent connection providers and operators can offer attractive commercial terms, increased flexibility and innovative engineering, to ensure costs and timescales are kept under close control, without any added risk or security issues.
Through regulatory knowledge, creative technical thinking and deep engineering and construction expertise, Energetics has built a solid track record by challenging existing connection arrangements, lobbying the regulator and Government to remove restrictive practices, and has introduced innovative measures to reduce the cost and improve the efficiencies of getting new schemes connected.
We hope this useful guide will encourage developers, consultants and contractors to take more advantage of the clear technical and commercial benefits independent utility connections can bring.
Bill McClymont
Chief Executive Officer, Energetics
Bill McClymont has worked in the utilities industry for nearly 40 years, holding many senior positions at Scottish Power. He established, and was Managing Director of, Core Utility Solutions (a joint venture of Scottish Power and Alfred McAlpine), before leaving to set up Energetics in 2006. McClymont is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Park and MediaCityUK in Manchester, are on independently owned and managed networks.
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An introduction to utility connections
Electricity and gas connections
In the UK, electricity and gas is supplied via transmission and distribution networks. Transmission networks carry
high voltage electricity (at 400kV) and gas (at up to 85bar), across long distances, from generators (ie power stations and gas terminals). Distribution networks take electricity and gas from the transmission network and, having converted it into lower voltages or pressures, carry it to homes and businesses. Consumers pay for their energy through a number of different suppliers, which purchase electricity or gas on the wholesale market.
Privatisation of the UK gas and electricity markets in the 1980s, followed by the introduction of competition in both supply and connections in the late 1990s, aimed to give consumers and developers more choice, to improve quality of services and infrastructure and increase value for money.
Before that time, those wishing to connect a new residential, commercial or industrial development to the mains electricity or gas had no choice but to go to the statutory utility company (in the case of electricity, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) in that region; for gas, British Gas). Customers were often presented with high fixed prices and there were no alternative providers with which to compare costs or level of service.
Deregulation led to the establishment of Independent
connection providers (ICPs) that compete with the statutory utility companies in designing and building
new local networks and connections (i.e. laying and connecting pipes and cables and building substations, termed ‘contestable’ work). Typically, the final connection to the main electricity, gas and water network is made by a statutory utility company (‘non-contestable’ work).
ICPs are accredited under three schemes operated by the Lloyd’s Register Group on behalf of the regulator Ofgem and the utilities industry: the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS), the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS) and the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS).
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ICPs have the same obligations and must meet the same performance standards as the statutory utility companies, to ensure networks are safe, robust and reliable. Some ICPs deal with one utility, while others provide multi- utility services, coordinating the design and construction of up to all three main utilities.
The electricity and gas connections market is now worth an estimated £500M per year. Ofgem estimates that more than 300,000 individual connections were completed in 2013-14; that more than half of new and modified gas connections are carried out by ICPs each year; and about one million consumers are connected to an independent gas network.
Competition has been slower to take hold in the electricity sector. Ofgem’s review of the electricity connections market in October 2014 showed that ICPs delivered just 14% of connections to networks operated by statutory utility companies in 2010-11. However, this rose to 32% in 2013-14, demonstrating significant market development over the last ten years.
In fact there are tens of thousands of independent electricity networks across the UK today, serving housing, hospitals, offices data centres, schools, manufacturing facilities and retail developments. High- profile developments, including the London Olympic Park, Birmingham New Street Station and MediaCityUK in Manchester, use independently built and operated utility networks.
Networks can be owned and operated either by a statutory utility company or by Independent Distribution Network Operators (for electricity) and Independent Gas Transporters, all of which operate under licences issued by Ofgem. The operator is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure (i.e. the pipes, cables and substations) and providing emergency support, should anything go wrong.
Network owner/operators earn money via distribution charges, as part of the occupiers’ utility bills. Ofgem administers three price control regimes that lay down what statutory utility companies can charge (based on certain outputs):
• RIIO-T1: relating to the high voltage transmission
of electricity and high pressure transmission of gas (covering the period from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2021)
• RIIO-GD1: relating to gas distribution to homes and businesses (covering the period from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2021)
• RIIO-ED1: relating to low voltage electricity distribution to homes and businesses (covering the period from 1 April 2015 until 31 March 2023).
Similarly, Ofgem regulates the amounts independent operators can charge customers for using their networks via ‘Relative Price Control’, requiring independent companies’ charges to be capped at a level broadly consistent with the statutory utility companies’ charges for all customers. Compliance is monitored through the licence conditions and Ofgem can take action if these are breached.


Water connections
The water utility connections market differs from gas and electricity, as it is not open to true competition. Developers can choose to have water infrastructure installed by an ICP under a ‘self-lay’ arrangement but the infrastructure must be handed to the statutory water company when it is completed. According to industry association Fair Water Connections, as of 2015, self-lay organisations were responsible for at least a fifth of all water connections.
Many ICPs do not offer water connection services as it can be bureaucratic, time consuming and, as there is
no revenue to be derived from operating the network, commercially unattractive. However, some do offer to install water connections, either as a standalone service or as part of a multi-utility offering.
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Further information
Ofgem’s update on competition in connections market review: issues limiting effective competition (October 2014): https://www.ofgem.gov.uk
Ofgem’s findings of its review of the electricity connections market (January 2015):
www.ofgem.gov.uk
More details on Ofgem’s price control regimes: www.ofgem.gov.uk


Accreditation
and licensing of
independent utility
connections
In the 15 years since the opening up of the utilities market, independent connection providers and independent network operators have become firmly established as a viable alternative to the ‘default’ option of statutory utility companies for connecting new residential, commercial and industrial developments.
Procuring utilities connections through independent providers has become increasingly common in the housebuilding sector (more than one million homes use an independently connected and owned gas network, for example) and is now the approach of choice for many of
Gas Transporters (IGTs) are governed by similar regulations, standards and licensing as the statutory utility companies. This means their networks are safe, robust, offer security of supply and, as far as end-users are concerned, are indistinguishable from those installed
the UK’s national housebuilders. by the statutory utility companies.
Independent Connection Providers (ICPs), Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) and Independent
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“Electricity networks must be designed and built by ICPs approved by the Lloyds Register under the National Electricity Registration Scheme.”
NERS
Accreditation of independent connection providers
To ensure ICPs meet the same performance standards as statutory utility companies, they are accredited under three schemes operated by the Lloyd’s Register Group on behalf of Ofgem and the utilities industry: the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS), the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS) and the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS).
The aim of these schemes is to ensure independently designed and built networks are, in terms of safety and reliability, indistinguishable from those installed by the statutory utility companies.
Electricity networks must be designed and built by ICPs approved by the Lloyds Register under the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS). Lloyds Register performs technical assessments for the accreditation of contestable electrical connections work to ensure network safety and that new connections meet the required DNO standards.
Similarly, gas networks must be designed and built
by ICPs approved by Lloyd’s Register under the Gas Infrastructure Registration Scheme (GIRS). Work must also comply with the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers’ standards, as well as the specific requirements of the adopting company.


Licencing of independently operated networks
IDNOs and IGTs are subject to the same standard Ofgem licensing conditions as the statutory utility companies. They must submit an annual statement to demonstrate their ability (both financially and operationally) to continue to distribute electricity or gas and have three additional conditions imposed upon them, mainly to give financial surety:
Guaranteed delivery standards
IDNOs and IGTs rely on the incumbent DNOs to provide the Point of Connection onto their networks and the national grid. It is compulsory for DNOs to complete these works within prescribed timescales. This guarantee means IDNOs and IGTs can confidently manage connections to meet project timescales. IDNOs and IGTs are subject to the same delivery standards, should an extension to their networks be requested by a customer.
Distribution charges
Network owner/operators, whether they are a statutory utility company or an independent company, earn money via distribution charges to the energy suppliers, as part of the occupiers’ utility bills.
Under their licences, the statutory utility companies must review their distribution charges every six months. In the domestic market, this review cycle must be matched by independent network operators, to ensure householders pay the same price for their electricity or gas, regardless of who owns the network.
Emergency cover
Under Ofgem’s licensing conditions, IDNOs and IGTs must provide 24/7 cover for emergencies, to ensure safety and security of supply.
Gas: All faults on the gas network are reported through the National Gas Helpline, with the statutory gas company making the network safe and the IGT responsible for repairs (which are either carried out by the IGT or the statutory gas supplier).
Electricity: IDNOs provide emergency helplines and have emergency response engineers to deal with faults to their electricity networks, although some use the statutory electricity companies’ response teams. Once made safe, IDNOs are responsible for repairs and reinstatement of supply, to the same timescales as statutory companies.
Commercial terms
Statutory utility companies are not allowed to use their regulated income to discount new and speculative projects. However, to encourage competition, Ofgem allows IDNOs and IGTs to offer different capital funding options (including lowering the installation costs) by offsetting future projected revenues generated by the distribution network.
The situation is different for industrial and commercial customers, with independent network operators having the freedom to choose what they charge. However, some independent operators, such as Energetics, review their distribution charges twice a year to match the statutory utility companies.
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“Connecting new homes, businesses and generators to the distribution network is vital to UK economic growth and increased competition in this area is welcome. [The new Competition in Connections Code of Practice] represents a significant step forward in the further development of the competitive connections market.”
Energy Networks Association Chief Executive David Smith, October 2015.
Further information
National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS): www.lr.org
Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS): www.lr.org
Fact sheet on NERS, GIRS and WIRS: www.lr.org
Energy Networks Association Guide to the UK and Ireland energy networks 2015: http://www.energynetworks.org
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The legislative framework
The Electricity Act 1989
The Electricity Act was the legislation that privatised the electricity supply industry in the UK, replacing the Central Electricity Generating Board in England and Wales and the South of Scotland Electricity Board and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in Scotland. The Act also set up licensing of network operators and established a regulator, the Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER).
The Gas Act 1995
The Gas Act began the process of introducing competition in the domestic gas market and also in connections,
with Independent Gas Transporters able to compete
with Transco (part of British Gas) to install networks. It established the Office of Gas Supply (Ofgas) to regulate the sector.
The Utilities Act 2000
The Utilities Act amended both the Electricity Act and
the Gas Act, introducing separate licences for electricity supply and distribution, with standard conditions for both, and amendments to gas licences (which were already standardised).
The act also established the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA) and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) as regulator (formed by the merger of Ofgas and OFFER). Ofgem regulates gas and electricity networks and the competitive markets in gas and electricity supply and retail. It aims to protect consumer interests; to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure security of supply.
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The Competition in Connections Code of Practice 2015
Ofgem’s 2013 review of the electricity connections market concluded more could be done to improve efficiency and competition. It decided the best way to achieve this was to introduce a licence condition requiring Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to comply with a new Competition in Connections Code of Practice (CiC CoP). This code was approved in June 2015 and came into force in November 2015.
The CiC CoP aims to improve competition further
(and deliver better value for money to customers) by harmonising accreditations and processes across the UK and giving Independent Connection Providers (ICPs) the option to take more control of connections from DNOs.
ICPs can also choose to determine the point of connection themselves and approve their own connection designs (if the business and its designers are accredited).
As the code’s primary objective is to increase competition in the connections market, Ofgem hopes customers will benefit from more choice, greater efficiency and better value for money. Network design processes should be improved and some connection projects will be faster.
However, the code of practice is still in its infancy
and, as a result, any benefits it brings may not be immediately realised. Additionally, while the code applies to all connections, self-determination of the point of
The code of practice covers the entire process of connecting a customer, from application, through the determination of the point of connection (where the independent network joins with the mains network), the design and approval of that connection, construction of the network, to final connection and adoption.
connection and self-design depend upon the type of
load and complexity of the connection. Industrial and commercial networks can be highly complex, with varying demands, and the connection process for these projects will not necessarily be any quicker or cheaper as a result of the code.
Competition in Connections
Did you know you can seek competitive quotations from an Independent Connection Provider for many elements of the work involved in getting an electricity and gas connection?
How It Works:
New network (shown in Orange)
This can be designed and built by a suitably accredited ICP like Energetics
Final joint to the existing network (shown in Red)
There is no impact on your choice of Energy Supplier by choosing an ICP
Existing Mains Network


‘Landmark’ projects
with independent
utility networks
• London Olympic Stadium and Park, including the Olympic Park and the Athletes’ Village
• National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome (now Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome)
• Heron Tower, London
• MediaCityUK, Salford
• New Street Station, Birmingham
• Robin Hood Airport Doncaster
• M&S Cheshire Oaks, Chester
• Liverpool International Business Park, Liverpool
“Energetics was chosen to deliver this major electrical network for this prestigious project and has become the IDNO for the project following months of hard work and overcoming many complex engineering problems. The strong partnering approach with Bovis Lend Lease has been paramount to the successful delivery.”
John McGrath
Building Services Director, Bovis Lend Lease
• Doncaster Inland Port Enabling works, Doncaster • Silverstone Leisure, Silverstone
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The benefits of multi-
utilities for industrial and
commercial projects
Connecting utilities for industrial and commercial
developments can be complex and time-consuming, with multiple parties and network connection points involved. Multi-utility connections (gas, electricity and water) are offered as a complete design and build package by a few ICPs, which can help mitigate the risk of delays, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
Fewer ‘touch points’ means clearer communication
As the entire connection process is managed by one provider, communication is simplified and improved. This is particularly beneficial at the outset of a project, when clear communication is essential to allow the ICP to: assess project requirements; evaluate design and build options; and to understand costs and timescales. The same is true during construction. With a single point of contact, issues on site can be resolved more quickly and efficiently.
Central coordination of the legal process mitigates risk
Legal work associated with land and access rights for placing utility infrastructure is a common cause of considerable delay, as it often involves third party landowners, solicitors, councils and statutory bodies.
Procuring all three utilities through one provider cuts down on bureaucracy and paperwork, not least because access needs only be sought for one construction team. Larger ICPs also have in-house staff overseeing all legal aspects of connections. They can work proactively to identify potential issues, clarify timescales at the start of a project with the developer and mitigate the risk of unforeseen delays.
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Greater control of construction ensures compliance
Choosing the multi-utility route means that often, all three networks can be laid in the same trench. Some ICPs have in-house construction teams and, if they
take responsibility for excavations, they can ensure infrastructure is routed in the most efficient manner and is compliant with standards and regulations. This a far more cost-effective approach and, on some projects, can mean installation is up to six times faster.
Multi-utility connections make financial sense
Not only can planning, designing and building gas, electricity and water infrastructure through one provider result in significant cost savings – through shorter construction programmes, price consolidation and service efficiencies – but also, because IDNOs and IGTs earn revenue from the networks they adopt, they have commercial freedom to reduce the capital cost to developers and clients by offsetting future value.
Many independent multi-utility providers can also be far more flexible when it comes to payment schedules, which is particularly useful on larger phased developments.


Frequently Asked Questions
Who can install and connect electricity, gas and water supplies?
Electricity and gas networks can be installed by
However, some work is ‘non-contestable’, i.e. it must be carried out by the host statutory utility company (or one of
its authorised contractors) and normally covers network reinforcement (any work needed to existing networks to cope with additional demand from the new development), the final connection from the development to the main network, plus
statutory utility companies and Independent Connection Providers (ICPs). Water infrastructure can be installed by the statutory water companies or under ‘self-lay’ agreements, where an ICP designs and/or builds the infrastructure.
Connections to the main electricity, gas and water networks are typically handled by the statutory utility company. Under the new Competition in Connections Code of Practice, introduced in November 2015, some ICPs can determine the point of connection themselves and approve their own connection designs (if the business and its designers are accredited to do so).
What is ‘contestable’ and ‘non-contestable’ work?
The majority of the physical work required for new utilities can be carried out by an ICP or a statutory utility company and is ‘contestable’ because it is open to competition. Contestable works include design and construction of a network (cable laying, jointing etc), installation of substations and associated civil engineering work.
approvals and inspections of contestable works.
How are ICPs accredited?
To ensure ICPs meet the same performance standards as statutory utility companies, they are accredited under three schemes operated by the Lloyd’s Register Group on behalf of Ofgem and the utilities industry: the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS), the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS) and the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS).
The aim of these schemes is to ensure independently designed and built networks are, in terms of safety and reliability, indistinguishable from those installed by the statutory utility companies.
They cover project management and the design and construction of utilities infrastructure. Accreditation lasts three years, subject to passing rigorous surveillance audits by Lloyd’s Register Group assessors (companies are typically subjected to four or five audits per year, depending on volume of work and staff numbers).
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How do independent utilities connection providers
ensure safety, security and robustness of networks?
Independently installed electricity and gas networks must meet the same high standards of quality and safety as those installed by the statutory utility companies. Elements of a network installed by an independent provider are inspected and approved by the statutory utility company under design approval.
What is a Distribution Network Operator?
Formerly known as Regional Electricity Companies, there are 14 Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) in Great Britain. Each of these statutory electricity companies is responsible for regional distribution networks carrying electricity from the high voltage transmission grid to industrial, commercial and domestic users. The DNOs are natural monopolies and are regulated by Ofgem to protect consumers from potential abuse of monopoly power.
What is an Independent Distribution Network Operator?
Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) own, operate and maintain local electricity distribution networks serving industrial facilities and commercial and housing developments directly connected to networks owned and operated by statutory electricity companies. IDNOs hold licences issued by Ofgem and have the same obligations and performance standards as statutory utility companies. They can own and operate electricity networks anywhere in the UK.
What is a Gas Distribution Network Operator?
There are eight gas distribution networks in Great
Britain, owned and managed Gas Distribution Network Operators (GDNOs). These statutory gas companies are responsible for regional distribution networks carrying gas to industrial, commercial and domestic users. The GDNOs are natural monopolies and are regulated by Ofgem to protect consumers from potential abuse of monopoly power.
What is an Independent Gas Transporter?
Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs) own, operate
and maintain local gas distribution networks that are connected to networks owned and operated by statutory gas companies. IGTs hold licences issued by Ofgem and have the same obligations and performance standards as the statutory gas companies.
What happens in the case
of an emergency or loss of supply?
IDNOs and IGTs have licence obligations in place to ensure a 24/7 emergency response matching that of
the statutory utility companies. Once the independent operator is informed of an emergency (either by being called directly or via the statutory utility company or energy supplier), it takes action to ensure the network is made safe and any network fault isolated and rectified as soon as possible.


What happens if an independent network operator or independent gas transporter ceases trading?
Ofgem reports that no IDNO or IGT has ever been made insolvent but to protect against disruption to supply, independent operators must submit an annual statement to demonstrate their ability to continue to operate electricity or gas networks(both financially and operationally).
They are also subject to a number of ‘ring fence’ conditions under their Ofgem licences. In essence, the IDNO or IGT must operate independently of any parent company.
The licence conditions provide a mechanism for providing early warning of any problems and their mitigation. If
an independent operator is in danger of going out of business, Ofgem will appoint a Special Administrator to manage operations and ensure the networks continue to operate normally.
Under Special Administration, the IDNO or IGT continues to be subject to regulation and its licence conditions. This ensures there is no impact on those connected
to the network, so networks remain operational and maintenance and emergency cover is continuous. If the management can no longer continue to run the business, it is sold to another IDNO or IGT (or the statutory utility company) to guarantee on-going operation of the network.
Ultimately domestic or commercial consumers connected to the networks are protected as if they were connected to the statutory DNO or GDNO. This means there is no impact to supply under Special Administration and Ofgem ensures that network security is priority.
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Energetics: Independent multi-utility connections for commerce and industry
Established in 2006, Energetics Networked Energy (Energetics) is a truly-independent multi-utility connection company, offering a range of design and build services for electricity, gas, water and telecommunications, along with ongoing operation and maintenance of electricity and gas networks.
Energetics Design & Build specialises in
the design and installation of multi-utility infrastructure for residential, industrial and commercial developments, while Energetics Electricity and Energetics Gas adopt, own and operate electricity and gas networks throughout the UK. Energetics operates from 10 locations across England and Scotland.
Energetics is licensed by Ofgem to own and operate the gas and electricity networks it installs. The company’s engineering teams
from planning to connection, handling all third party interfaces and legal approvals, as well as liaising with landowners over access rights, where necessary.
Energetics has a successful track record working for some of the UK’s leading developers, consultants and contractors on
a range of industrial, commercial, retail, public sector and mixed use developments. These include schools, colleges, student accommodation, healthcare, retail and hotels
project manage the design and build process, and leisure projects.
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“To deliver a complex and robust electricity infrastructure to supply the 81ha mixed-use development, and the new home of the BBC”
MediaCityUK, Salford
One of the UK’s largest and most complex utility projects ever undertaken, MediaCityUK presented Energetics with a significant challenge: to deliver a complex and robust electricity infrastructure to supply the 81ha mixed-use development, and the new home of the BBC, on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal.
Working for client Peel Holdings, on behalf
of main contractor Bovis Lend Lease (now Lend Lease), Energetics built and adopted the 32MVA electrical network, which includes a 32MV primary substation and 36 secondary substations, along with 5km of 33kV cable. Electricity is supplied by a gas-powered tri- generation energy plant providing cooling and heating of buildings using canal water.
Energetics developed innovative solutions to cope with the complexities of this congested inner city site, including: a more compact substation design to maximise valuable real estate; a fully automated back-up system to minimise fault interruption and an ambitious cabling route involving a thrust bore under the Manchester Ship Canal to reduce the amount of cable needed.
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The Rock, Bury
The advantages of the multi-utility connections approach for commercial developments were demonstrated on The Rock, a major retail and leisure scheme built on a former industrial site in Bury town centre near Manchester.
Flagship stores Debenhams and Marks & Spencer had come on board early and, with another 60 retailers, a ten screen cinema and a bowling alley on the site, it was crucial for main contractor Laing O’Rourke to meet developer Thornfield Properties/Hammerson’s opening date.
Utilities were on the critical path. Energetics was involved from the outset, designing, building and adopting the 14MVA electricity network connection, including 1.5km of 33kV cabling, a 23MVA primary substation and two 23MVA transformers, each capable of supporting the full load if required.
Energetics designed the 23MVA primary substation to be incorporated into the building. This freed up valuable retail space and
ensured external design and public areas were unaffected. The network was delivered as planned, keeping the programme on track, and Energetics’ approach resulted in savings of £1M on the original project cost.
“A major retail and leisure scheme built on a former industrial site in Bury”


Energetics Head Office
International House, Hamilton International Technology Park, Stanley Boulevard, Glasgow, G72 0BN
01698 404 949
We have regional offices and depots across the UK:
Central Scotland, East Scotland, North West England, North East England, Midlands, South West England, South East England.
If you would like to learn more about Energetics and how we can help with your next project or require a multi-utilities quote for your next development then please contact us on:
0845 463 6623 [email protected] www.energetics-uk.com
Accredited by: