Cody Park

The Brief  

Our client is a major UK based data centre developer and operator, providing third party data centre solutions to private businesses and public-sector offices. At the Cody Park Data Campus in Farnborough ESM Power’s client was looking to upgrade and improve resilience to the existing High Voltage network and enable both the short term expansion of this high integrity data campus and also put in place the provision to increase capacity for future expansion in the long term.

The site

Cody Park Data Campus is located in Farnborough, Hampshire. The site sits within the Scottish & Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) DNO footprint.              

Our work

Under this scheme ESM Power was appointed as Independent Connection Provider (ICP) and Principal Contractor. Our remit as ICP was to design, procure, and commission the new electrical infrastructure to SSEPD’s standards to enable delivery and adoption for the 33kV upgraded connection. Included within our scope was the building and civil works for the new substation.

The project was managed by ESM Power in line with CDM Regulations and subject to on site audits from SSEPD and an independent CDM consultant.

Building and Civil Works

In order to meet the client brief the scheme required a complete new build substation that would combine the infrastructure and assets to provide both a 33kV/11kV capability combined with a 132kV/33kV capability. ESM Power’s scope encompassed all associated civil works including excavations, footings, plinths, bund walls, drainage, kerbing and service road construction to an asphalt finish.

ESM Power’s work also included the construction of a steel framed and cladded switch room to SSEPD specifications. This would be used to house the client’s 11kV switchboard and SSEPD’s 33kV switchboard. This construction element involved   specialist contractors, crane hire, a crane operative, slinger/signaller, a lift plan, crane inspection conformity report, lifting equipment inspection and conformity test report and working at height - with fall arrest systems in place.

Electrical Works

The HV electrical works included the delivery, installation and commissioning of an 11kV switchboard, a 20/40 MVA 33kV/11kV transformer, protection panels, earth installation (including earth resistivity testing) and all other works associated with a new    primary substation.

Part of the network security and reinforcement works also included the installation of 3 No. 11kV interconnector circuits between the new primary substation, under ESM Power construction, and the existing Cody Park primary substation.  

Project Completion

Throughout the construction programme all works conformed and adhered to the method statements. Risks were monitored and addressed daily and a strict adherence to the wearing of appropriate PPE for the relevant task and being in possession of up to date competency certificates and authorisations was rigorously enforced.

We are again proud to report no accidents or injuries during the works at Cody Park by ESM Power - something we continually strive to achieve during our day-to-day operations.

This project commenced in April 2016 with works completed, on time and to budget, by March 2017.