Unlocking power capacity to keep a flagship leisure development on track
Electricty
David Lloyd
Bicester, UK
The challenge
Overcoming power capacity constraints to keep the project on track
When the team behind the new David Lloyd fitness club in Bicester, Oxfordshire, approached the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for the power capacity required to energise the high-specification leisure facility, they were told that no capacity was available.
The options were costly reinforcement works or waiting for capacity to become available, either of which risked significant delays to the project. In the meantime, the facility would have needed to rely on generators for a prolonged period, bringing additional financial costs and environmental impact.
An alternative solution was needed to secure the power capacity required without compromising the project programme.
The solution
Unlocking 350 kVA of power capacity through collaboration
Having recently completed a project in the vicinity, Leep identified an opportunity to provide approximately 350 kVA of capacity covered by its Bilateral Connection Agreement.
This offered a potential route to securing the required power without the delays associated with the DNO’s initial response. However, demonstrating Leep’s capability and entitlement to provide the capacity required detailed technical discussions and close coordination between all parties.
Leep worked collaboratively with the DNO, Sinewave as the Independent Connection Provider (ICP), the client’s utility consultant and the client team to establish the solution and ensure the necessary arrangements were in place.
What we delivered
Combining expertise and collaboration to deliver power on time
Leep brought together the technical expertise, commercial understanding and industry relationships needed to turn a challenging connection scenario into a workable solution.
Key activities included:
- Unlocking capacity: Evidencing Leep’s capability and entitlement to provide 350 kVA of power under its Bilateral Connection Agreement.
- Coordinating stakeholders: Managing complex discussions and collaboration between the DNO, Sinewave, the client’s utility consultant and the client.
- Accelerating procurement: Using established industry relationships to secure the required transformer LV cabinet at pace, helping protect the project programme.
- Delivering the adoption: Providing and adopting the power network required to energise the facility, ensuring the project was completed on time and to specification.
Throughout the process, Leep applied a flexible, tenacious and solutions-focused approach, maintaining momentum while navigating the technical and logistical challenges.
The results
Delivering power on time while reducing costs and environmental impact
Leep’s intervention helped overcome a significant power capacity constraint and deliver the network needed to energise the David Lloyd fitness club.
- 350 kVA of power capacity made available through Leep’s Bilateral Connection Agreement.
- On-time project completion, supported by proactive coordination and accelerated procurement of critical equipment.
- Avoided prolonged reliance on generators, mitigating the associated cost and environmental impact.
- A high-specification leisure facility energised, with the required power network delivered and adopted to specification.
Making complex connections work
This project demonstrates the value of working with an experienced independent network operator that can look beyond the conventional connection route to find practical solutions.
Through technical expertise, flexibility, tenacity and deep, trusted industry relationships, Leep helped unlock the capacity required and keep a complex development on track.
“This project is a great example of how Leep’s experience, flexibility and industry relationships can make a real difference. By working closely with the DNO, Sinewave and the client team, we were able to demonstrate a viable route to the capacity required and keep the project on track. Combining that collaborative approach with our ability to move quickly on critical equipment procurement helped us deliver the outcome the client needed.”
Peter Owen, Head of Strategic Project Delivery, Leep Utilities
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