Data Centre Operator - Substation Design
Project Olympus is a site in East London acquired by a data centre operator for development into a new, high‑capacity facility. Our Freedom business was appointed to manage consultation with UK Power Networks (UKPN) and secure a 300MVA live connection to the grid — the single largest connection on UKPN’s network to date.
Design of a 300MVA 132kV/33kV substation
We designed a new 300MVA 132kV/33kV substation, working closely with UKPN to deliver a fully compliant solution in line with its G81 technical design specifications. Our long‑standing relationship with UKPN enabled a collaborative approach, streamlining approvals and ensuring alignment with network standards and procedures.
At 54,000sqm, the substation has been scaled to manage the full high‑voltage incoming load and provide seamless, uninterrupted power to the data centre campus. It is one of the largest indoor primary substations constructed within inner London.
To futureproof the installation, the 132kV gas‑insulated switchgear (GIS) is SF6‑free, anticipating forthcoming legislation banning sulphur hexafluoride gas in technical equipment. We worked closely with Siemens Energy UK on the switchgear design, supported by factory visits to Germany to carry out quality control checks and ensure full industry compliance. This installation represents the first SF6‑free GIS arrangement of its kind in London.
The substation is located within the data centre boundary to support the client’s high security classification requirements. N‑1 resilience is achieved through two 300MVA cable circuits and three 160MVA transformers supplying power across three data centre buildings, ensuring continuity of supply and system stability.
Unusually, the substation was architecturally designed to meet planning conditions and align visually with the surrounding docklands development. The two‑storey structure replicates the materials and architectural features of the adjacent data centre buildings, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the regenerated urban environment. Internally, the layout creates two distinct, secure asset areas, which on completion will be adopted by UKPN (132kV) and the data centre operator (33kV).