The Midlands office of independent multi-utility services provider, Energetics, has been appointed by Network Rail to provide a new high voltage energy supply to New Street Station as part of the £600 million New Street Gateway project.
With more than 1,000 utility networks across the UK, Energetics competes with industry giants like Western Power, Scottish and Southern Energy and UK Power Networks. It provides an end-to-end utility service for residential, industrial and commercial developments, spanning both the public and private sectors.
As part of its £1 million New Street contract, the energy firm will lay three kilometres of cable through Birmingham city centre. It will also construct two new intake HV switchrooms, providing greater resilience for Network Rail.
The switchrooms house the high voltage switchgear which provides the power supply. The bespoke compact design and positioning of the switchrooms ensure they do not take up any prime retail space. The first high voltage switchroom is expected to be complete by March 2012 and the second by May 2013.
Bill McSheffery, Major Developments Manager for Energetics, explained what this latest contract win means for Energetics. He said: “The redevelopment of New Street station is one of the most important regeneration projects to be progressed in Birmingham for decades, and Energetics is looking forward to playing a role in the transformation of this vital transport hub.
“The project itself is technically very complex, and we will be drawing on the wealth of specialist knowledge and expertise within the Energetics team to design an innovative solution for the energy network which is compliant with all regulations and delivered to the highest standards.
“We are also working very closely with Network Rail and the main contractor to ensure that all aspects of the project are implemented according to rigorous health and safety practices affecting both the energy sector and the railways.
“This is a major contract win which will help to establish Energetics throughout the region as a major player in the energy sector.”
Energetics is an independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) which provides a full design, build and regulation service. It is fully accredited in electricity, gas, water, telecoms and street lighting. Headquartered in Glasgow, Energetics also has a regional office in Warrington and a Midlands office in Coleshill, which acts as a hub for its regional operations in the heart of the UK.