Delivering critical HV infrastructure to one of the UK’s leading teaching hospitals
Project Snapshot
| Client | Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge |
| Location | Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge |
| Project Value | Confidential (12‑month programme) |
| Project Duration | 2020 |
| Market Sector | Commercial & Industrial — Healthcare Power Infrastructure |
| Services Delivered | 33 kV Contestable Connection, Primary Substation Construction, 33/11 kV HV Systems |
| Powersystems Fact | Powersystems has supported Addenbrooke’s Hospital since 2001, delivering critical electrical upgrades across the campus for more than two decades. |
Addenbrooks Hospital MW Wind Farm Case Study
Download the full Addenbrooke’s Hospital Case Study to explore how Powersystems delivered a new 33 kV contestable connection and primary substation for one of the UK’s most advanced teaching and research hospitals. The PDF outlines our complete design, construction and commissioning works, including 4 km of 33 kV circuits, substation development, transformer installation and protection upgrades. Ideal for engineers, estates teams and healthcare‑infrastructure planners seeking insight into a major HV upgrade that strengthens resilience, supports clinical excellence and future‑proofs the fast‑growing Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Client & Site Background
Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of the UK’s most prestigious teaching hospitals and an internationally recognised centre for:
- Major Trauma and Critical Care
- Organ Transplantation
- Neurosciences and Neurocritical Care
- Paediatric and specialist cancer treatments
- Groundbreaking biomedical and clinical research
As part of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the site forms the heart of the Cambridge BiomedicalCampus, one of Europe’s largest clusters for healthcare innovation, research and translational medicine.
With rapid expansion of clinical services, research facilities, and new laboratory buildings, the hospital required a major upgrade to its electrical capacity to safeguard patient care and support future development.
The Challenge
The Addenbrooke’s HV upgrade had to be delivered within a live acute hospital environment, meaning:
- Zero unplanned interruptions to lifesaving equipment
- Complex programming around essential hospital operations
- Highly constrained construction zones
- Public‑highway works requiring rail‑crossing and traffic management
- A need for robust resilience, redundancy and future‑proofing
Powersystems’ role as the Independent Connection Provider (ICP) under Ofgem’s Competition in Connections framework ensured a regulated, compliant and efficient connection pathway.
Our Engineering Solution
Powersystems delivered the full turnkey contestable works, including design, civil works, HV installation, protection systems, commissioning and adoption by 24Seven (the regional DNO at time of construction).
33/11 kV Primary Substation Construction
Powersystems designed, built and commissioned a new primary substation compound incorporating:
- Civil works, foundations and drainage
- Substation building construction
- Full internal fit‑out:
- Earthing and protection systems
- SCADA integration
- LV and 110 V DC auxiliary systems
- Metering equipment
- Battery tripping supplies
- Dehumidifiers and environmental controls
33 kV Network Extension (Contestable Works)
To deliver the new connection, Powersystems installed:
- 2 × 33 kV circuits over a 4 km route from 24Seven’s Fulbourn Grid Substation
- Highway installation and traffic management
- A directionally drilled rail crossing to avoid rail service disruption
- 33 kV power cabling, pilot cable systems, jointing and terminations
HV Transformers & Substation Equipment
The new primary substation houses:
- 2 × 12/24 MVA 33/11 kV transformers
- Transformer cooling, tap‑changer and neutral earth reactor
- Transformer metering and protection systems
11 kV Systems
Powersystems supplied and installed:
- An 18‑panel 11 kV switchboard
- 11 kV circuits and terminations
- Protection panels and battery chargers
- Internal small power and lighting
Testing, Commissioning & Handover
The full installation underwent:
- Comprehensive HV/LV testing
- SCADA and protection scheme commissioning
- DNO‑witnessed tests
- Controlled energisation
- Phased load transfer to ensure uninterrupted operation of hospital services
Project Outcomes
- Significant increase in electrical capacity, supporting Addenbrooke’s expanding trauma, transplant, oncology and research operations
- Enhanced network resilience, ensuring uninterrupted power for critical facilities
- Future‑proof infrastructure aligned with long‑term expansion of the Biomedical Campus
- Adopted by the regional DNO, ensuring ongoing compliance and reliability
- Delivered early, with the substation constructed in just 50 weeks
Economic & Social Value
Addenbrooke’s is not only a healthcare provider but also a major “NHS Anchor Institution” supporting:
- Local employment & apprenticeships
- Sustainable procurement
- Community partnerships
- Social value through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT)
The project directly supports:
- Long‑term hospital development and research
- Improved clinical capacity
- Wider economic growth across Cambridge
- Sustainable and resilient healthcare infrastructure
Why This Project Matters
Addenbrooke’s is a world‑leading centre for:
- Trauma & Emergency Medicine
- Transplantation & Renal Services
- Neuroscience & Neurocritical Care
- Paediatric & Specialist Oncology
- Biomedical and translational research
Ensuring reliable, high‑capacity electrical infrastructure is fundamental to safeguarding patient outcomes, powering life‑support systems, supporting advanced imaging and surgical technologies, and enabling the research breakthroughs that define this world‑class institution.
Partnerships
- Addenbrooke’s Hospital, CUH NHS Foundation Trust — Client
- Powersystems — ICP & EBoP Contractor
- 24Seven — Adopting DNO (Now UKPN)
- Specialist civil and utility contractors — Rail, highways, cable installation
Delivering critical power infrastructure for hospitals, research centres or major commercial developments?
Speak to Powersystems for ICP contestable works, 33 kV/11 kV connection design, primary substations and full HV/LV turnkey delivery.