Delivering the Universal Destinations & Experiences Infrastructure
Advantages of working with ESP:
A substantial new water treatment facility:
Located on Universal’s Bedford site and designed to re-use and recycle water, this significant investment follows its requirements for water sustainability and will provide greater resilience to Bedford’s regional infrastructure, safeguarding it from the demands generated by the resort. The new facility, to be adopted by ESP and designed and built by Veolia, will significantly reduce the volume of water used on-site and the volume of sewerage needing to be discharged locally.
Enhanced water management:
In addition, surface water drainage will be designed to maximise the capture of rainwater within new dedicated habitat areas on Universal’s site, reducing the risk of surface flooding locally.
A new primary substation:
A new electricity substation will be adopted and operated by ESP, with capacity to power both the Universal development and surrounding local developments.
An all-electric central energy plant:
Contributing to Universal’s commitment to align the outcomes of the project with the UK’s trajectory towards net zero by 2050, ESP will design and deliver alongside Veolia an all-electric plant to provide low carbon heating and cooling to the resort, with the potential to expand to serve surrounding communities as well.
Low-carbon transport:
ESP will deliver one of the UK’s largest EV charging facilities for visitors to the Universal resort. A fleet of electric or other low-carbon transportation will also transfer guests from local railway stations to the resort.
“ESP’s appointment as our utilities partner reflects our commitment to unlocking the long-term transformational benefits of this project. Across water, wastewater and energy we will be ensuring the resort can be built and operated sustainably, with additional distribution capacity added to the local network to benefit neighbouring communities and developments.”
Gidon Freeman, Universal Destinations & Experiences Vice-President of External Affairs
