Unlocking 130MW for a London-Edge Data Centre Campus
From applications to procurement: unlocking reliable power at scale
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£200+ million
130MW
Applications for power submitted, ICP procurement underway
The challenge
BCS was appointed by a multi-site colocation provider to procure and deploy 130MW of power via 6nr connections from three different substations. The power is to be used for 3nr data centre buildings on a campus just outside London. The appointment included power applications, route proving, consultant procurement, ICP procurement and general cost and project management.
A key challenge was the tight timeline, power on dates being pushed back by NESO due to UK grid constraints. Since the power was to be used to operate 3nr data centres and fed into their construction programme, access to power was critical and required buy-in from all key stakeholders to drive the project forward. Each of the three substations are located between 12 and 15km from site
What We Did
BCS took full ownership from day one to handover, managing the power procurement, consultant procurement, route proving and ICP procurement.
Key actions:
- Engage with NESO to manage the NESO Gate 1 Application process.
- Prepare and submit NESO Gate 2 Application, including Modification Applications to accelerate power on date.
- Procure the Design Team.
- Management of the Legals and Land Team to begin the process of facilitating Options Agreements and/or Wayleaves around the substation to unlock routes to site.
- Manage the specialist Grid Consultants.
- Procure the Route Proving Contractor to examine route feasibility including any Specialist Engineering Designs.
- Begin ICP and IDNO procurement.
Unforeseen problems?
Solved fast.
Like any project, things came up. BCS kept the momentum going by acting fast and decisively:
- Submitted NESO Gate 2 Applications on time and compete during its first ever window of opening.
- Submitted Modification Applications as part of the Gate 2 application for accelerated power on dates under the new first-ready, first- connect policy.
- Provided benchmarked cost data for construction costs on cable routes and substations, including costs payable to NESO and NGED, informing investment decisions.
- Routes from substations to site evaluated and scored on a viability scoring system, most viable routes progressed to Stage 1 and 2 route proving.
The Result
Cost clarity and confidence — clear advice enabled smooth funding decisions.
Viable power routes secured — achievable connections from three substations identified and advanced.
Accelerated power-on — modification application submitted to bring forward grid connection dates.
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