Leep has a demonstrated track record of exemplary operations of utility networks attaching to major property developments in the UK including Media City, the technology and media hub home to the BBC & ITV in Manchester, Princes Dock, a vibrant neighborhood and integral part of the Liverpool Waterfront and has recently been successful in securing the adoption of the electricity networks at the prestigious Wood Wharf and Newfoundland Developments at Canary Wharf.
MediaCity UK - Manchester
MediaCityUK is a 200-acre mixed-use property development on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal in Salford, Greater Manchester.
Since 2007, MediaCityUK has grown to be one of Europe’s leading creative, tech and digital hubs, principal tenants include BBC North, ITV, the University of Salford. The site is also home to others, including Kellogg’s, The Hut Group, Huawei and over 250 smaller creative businesses.
A joint venture between Peel L&P and Landsec, MediaCityUK is comprised of mixed use residential, leisure and office space. With ambitious plans to grow, the site is currently amid a £1bn expansion which will see it double in size.
As a development partner, Leep Utilities continues to work with relevant parties on the long-term utility master planning of the site. Initially working on the site’s overarching utility strategy, it continues to play a role in the planning, design and build of MediaCityUK as it continues to grow.
Responsible for the development of the site’s bespoke energy supply systems, MediaCityUK benefits from Leep’s, ownership and management of a centralised heat, electricity and cooling energy centre.
The on-site energy source provides low-carbon electricity and supplies heating and cooling for buildings across the development. As part of this purpose-built facility, water from the Manchester Ship Canal is used to support the cooling system. This push for sustainability has seen MediaCityUK named the first sustainable community in the world by BREEAM – the world’s leading sustainability assessment method.
Due to the site’s planned growth, Leep is working towards a 20-year timeframe, anticipating the needs of the site as it continues to adapt and develop.
Within the development Leep own and manage a 2MW Combined Heat and Power engine with supplemental back up boilers and a 1.5MW absorbtion chiller. The energy from this system is then distributed across c.5km of distribution network, serving around 1,100 customers from domestic users up to blue chip companies.
As part of MediaCityUK’s continued development and the long-term sustainability objectives for the site, Leep is exploring the feasibility of a centralised heat pump to serve the heat demands for the next phase of the development, which will minimise the energy the site receives from the grid. In addition, the potential for renewable energy across the site is being considered, to improve the mix of services provided.
Leep has a proven track record of working on innovative waterfront redevelopments. In addition to its ongoing work with MediaCityUK, the business is responsible for the energisation of the historic Liverpool Waters site and Wood Wharf – Canary Wharf’s new district.
Princes Dock - Liverpool Waters
Princes Dock is the first phase of the development at Liverpool Waters, with high quality residential developments and Grade A office space overlooking the River Mersey.
This vibrant neighborhood benefits from a wide range of amenities including two hotels, a coffee shop, restaurants, a nursery, multi-storey car parking facilities and Liverpool’s Cruise Liner Terminal.
Subsequent phases of the development will see the addition of four new buildings, providing further office space alongside new residential and leisure developments and following the approval of Liverpool’s bid to become a turnaround point for international cruise liners, a new £55million cruiser liner terminal will also be housed at Princes Dock.
At Princes Dock, there are c1,500 connections currently served or under construction served by LENL primary and secondary electricity infrastructure and this figure will grow significantly with the extensive plans for growth across the Liverpool Waters development.
Wood Wharf - London
Canary Wharf’s new district, Wood Wharf, has been designed to provide a new residential led, mixed use, waterside community of over 3,300 new homes, nearly 2 million sq. ft. of high quality commercial office space, and a further 380,000 sq. ft. of shops, restaurants and community uses.
The development will broaden and extend the Canary Wharf Estate, adding to its vibrancy and continually expanding cultural, community and commercial offer. This also includes the Newfoundland development, a 60-story residential skyscraper housing over 560 apartments.
LENL has secured the contract for the ownership, maintenance and stewardship of the last-mile network delivering electricity to the development.
To date, three of the planned apartment blocks are energised with 576 apartments live and a further 1849 to be brought online over the coming 6 months.