The power of continuity

A live environment with no room for downtime

Replacing major electrical plant in a live data centre is not simply a matter of removing old equipment and installing new. Every intervention must be planned around the systems that cannot stop.

For this London facility, the programme included replacing ageing transformers with Tier 2 units, renewing Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems that had reached the end of their economically maintainable life, and replacing obsolete Power Distribution Units (PDUs) across the data halls. Existing generators are also being replaced to maintain continuity of critical power supplies.

Switching safely, step by step

The client required the site to remain fully operational, with zero downtime to critical loads throughout the works. This made the sequencing of the programme as important as the equipment itself.

We began with a detailed review of the existing plant infrastructure. Comprehensive as-built information was not available, so our team carried out multiple site surveys, live demonstrations and testing to validate design assumptions and understand how the systems operated in practice. The findings informed an advisory and concept report, which set out the available options, associated risks and potential opportunities. This gave the client a clear basis for selecting the preferred approach before we developed and issued the tender documentation under a demanding programme.

Coordination under live conditions

Close collaboration with the main contractor was central to the delivery strategy. Together, we developed detailed phasing and switching schedules to control each stage of the replacement works and minimise disruption to the live facility. The programme had to remain flexible, however. Unforeseen failures in existing equipment during switching events required rapid adjustments to the sequence and project programme.

Our involvement continued throughout construction. We provided ongoing monitoring, quality inspections and on-site witnessing to check that the installations reflected the agreed design and that critical activities were completed safely and correctly. This continuity allowed issues to be addressed as they emerged, while keeping the client’s operational requirements at the centre of decision-making.

Seeing the detail through

The project has renewed key parts of the data centre’s electrical infrastructure while protecting the continuity of the services it supports. By combining detailed investigation, coordinated design and active construction-stage involvement, the team has helped the client navigate a complex programme in which reliability depends not only on the new equipment, but on how carefully the change is managed.

We used AI to help write this project story using accurate source material. The article was checked by our marketing team before publication.