Critical power specialist, Powertecnique, has recently supplied a vital back-up power solution to the new £19m Matalan headquarters, in order to keep the power available at all times.
Working alongside mechanical and electrical services company A&B Engineering, Powertecnique provided a 1MVA generator with a 1,000 litre fuel tank to the new headquarters, which is moving to Knowsley from Skelmersdale. The system will support the building’s full load including power, lighting, data, security systems, heating and ventilation.
Darren Pearce, managing director at Powertecnique said, “The UK is facing a difficult future with recent warnings that the National Grid’s capacity to supply electricity particularly this winter, will be at a seven-year low due to generator closures and breakdowns such as the fire at Didcot B earlier this year. Spare electricity capacity is due to be about 4% this year, down from the 5% it was last year, and the 17% it was three years ago. This is why really robust back up power supplies are vital to a major concern such as Matalan, where so much relies on electricity.”
Andy Stanley, contracts director at A&B Engineering, explained: “We have recently started working with Powertecnique to support the new headquarters for Matalan, and received all the necessary support from the team, right through from enquiry stage to commissioning and handover. We wouldn’t hesitate to use them again on any future projects.”
The new site boasts training and conference facilities, as well as a ‘mock shop’ and offices over three floors designed to BREEAM ‘very good’ standard. Powertecnique has started working on the second phase of the project to support the energy efficiency rating with its genset and a G59 relay.
Darren Pearce explained: “A G59 relay enables the generator to synchronise with the mains supply. It usually communicates directly with the switch panel, but as this had already been installed at Matalan, we modified the design of our generator to accommodate the G59 relay into the existing system.”
Powertecnique works on many retail projects to ensure continuous power supply; previous contracts have included the new Paul Smith headquarters, Morrison’s distribution centres and over 20 stores with the John Lewis Partnership.
