When Alumno Group began developing a new student accommodation project in Twerton, Bath, they were faced with a major obstacle: a prohibitively expensive grid connection quote from the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO). The costs associated with the contestable works were far higher than expected and threatened to derail the financial viability of the scheme.
The project, located at the Jubilee Centre on the site of the former Hollis Building, required a robust and timely electrical connection — but not at any price. To move forward, Alumno needed a more cost-effective and efficient solution.
Alumno turned to Vattenfall IDNO, an Independent Distribution Network Operator. By stepping in to adopt the new connection, Vattenfall was able to provide a dramatically lower-cost alternative.
Through a combination of a competitive Asset Adoption Value and a transparent tendering process for the contestable works — delivered in partnership with Network Power Connections — Vattenfall helped Alumno reduce connection costs by 95% compared to the original DNO quote.
Alumno’s Director, Ron Plunz, said, “We’re incredibly glad we reached out to Vattenfall IDNO to adopt the grid connection for our latest student accommodation project. The original quote from the local DNO for contestable works was significantly higher than expected, but Vattenfall offered a much more competitive solution. Their Asset Adoption Value and tendering process helped us reduce our connection fees by 95% — a huge saving that made a real difference to the viability of the scheme. Their support, transparency, and expertise were outstanding throughout.”
The grid solution included a new 11kV point of connection and a 1,000kVA HV/LV substation, with all assets adopted by Vattenfall IDNO. The system will serve two half-hourly metered units with a combined registered capacity of 585kVA. An additional 150kVA of capacity for a commercial space on the site is scheduled for energisation in early September 2025, following the successful energisation of the first phase in July.
