ESP: Leading the challenge against connection costs, supporting IONITY in delivering their largest charging site in the UK.
Location: Double Tree Hilton – Dartford Bridge
Conveniently situation off the M25, Junction 1a is IONITY’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging site in the UK, featuring 24 ultra-rapid 350kW chargers. As with existing IONITY locations, this new site is powered exclusively by 100% renewable energy, sourced from wind, solar or hydroelectric power.
Based at Dartford Bridge DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, this site provides vital infrastructure and is helping to meet the increasing UK demand for EV charging facilities, whilst furthering IONITY’s mission to expand charging networks across Europe – which includes aspirations to treble the number of current public location EV charging sites by the end of 2025.
ESP played a pivotal role in this project, securing a substantial saving on the Point of Connection (PoC) costs, which was vital for the project’s viability. The saving was achieved via ESP’s innovative approach to challenging connection costs and the interpretation of Access SCR (Standard Connection Rules).
The project would not have been able to proceed without ESP involvement, testament to the importance of this relationship.
Project Overview
Through ESP’s #GetConnected programme, extensive planning and design expertise and resource was dedicated to this large-scale EV charging facilities project – to ensure IONITY benefitted from an integral list of externally managed project specifics, including:
- Point of Connection Offer
- ICP Procurement Management
- Detailed Feasibility Study
- Electrical Design Management.
- Construction Support and Assurance
- Equipment Procurement Support and Assurance
- Accelerating Land Rights
- Adopting Connection Assets
- Asset Management Support
Throughout this highly complex project, ESP’s renowned industry and regulatory knowledge was fully utilised by IONITY, with a continued focus on securing the best value through considered supplier conversations. This approach resulted in Utility Line being awarded the construction ICP and the site being energised within 6 months of the ICP award.
For IONITY, the partnership with ESP was a notable factor in driving the success of this flagship EV charging site at Dartford Bridge
Andreas Atkins, Country Manager for UK & Ireland at IONITY, commented:
“We are absolutely delighted with the outstanding support provided by ESP Utilities Group in delivering the grid connection for IONITY Hilton Dartford, our largest ultra-rapid EV charging site in the UK. Their expertise and dedication were evident from the start, supporting us through critical stages such as feasibility, design, ICP tendering and land rights, all of which contributed to the successful delivery of this highly complex project.
A major achievement was ESP leading the challenge against the connection costs and Access SCR interpretation, which resulted in a substantial saving on the Point of Connection costs – without this the project would not have been viable. Their extensive industry knowledge and strategic approach ensured a reliable and cost-effective connection, helping us bring this landmark site to life.
ESP’s commitment to delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions made them a critical partner in this project, and we look forward to working with them as we continue to develop our network.”