SSE Energy Solutions to provide site-wide electricity network to ‘the largest regeneration project Coventry has seen in a generation'

We have been contracted to design and deliver the site-wide electricity network at Friargate, designed by world-renowned architects, which is an ambitious £700m new business destination bringing prime new multi-functional working space, hotels, homes, shops, restaurants and public space next to Coventry railway station and a five minute walk from the city centre.

The development, once complete, will span 3,200,000m square foot including 400 new homes, 14 new office buildings, 215k sq ft of shops, bars and restaurants and creating 15,000 new jobs. With the nearby train station seeing 17k daily passengers, quick trains to the capital, a growing arts, social and leisure scene, Friargate will provide a crucial pillar for the city’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021. It has been called “the largest regeneration project Coventry has seen in a generation.”

On-site, over the coming years, we will deliver an embedded electricity distribution network comprising high voltage ring main, distribution substations and associated low voltage connections to commercial and residential buildings. This will require meticulous planning and coordination with key stakeholders to minimise disruption to the highway and pedestrian network.

The network will then be adopted by SSE’s IDNO, Optimal Power Networks.

“Friargate is a significant win for our business and we are proud to be playing a part in the regeneration of a great city like Coventry,” explains Michael Robertson, Sector Director of Electricity and Gas. “Whilst initially focused on providing the electricity network to the development, we hope to use this as a stepping stone to introduce new value and energy solutions in line with our strategy of producing net zero networks.”

A spokesperson for the project Joint Venture said, “Friargate is pleased to have signed an infrastructure delivery agreement with SSE to provide electrical power to the project; the new arrangement secures power for the next and future phases of development complimenting the infrastructure deal signed with Coventry District Energy in 2018 to connect the master plan to the district heating scheme.

Friargate is now well placed to deliver new low energy buildings to meet market demand and we hope to announce a firm timetable for delivery of the next office within a few months. SSE has a very good reputation in the energy markets and we look forward to working with the team.”

• 3.2m sq ft - size of development when finished
• 400 - new homes
• 15k - jobs being created