Making the most of your grid connection.

Upgrading power infrastructure can be complicated, time consuming and expensive. Thankfully with an increasing need for rapid electric vehicle charging infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, landowners have an opportunity to work alongside charging networks to make the most of grid connections and upgrades.

When looking to expand operations on your estate, often the first hurdle you bump up against is power. Electricity and grid connections are often limited in rural areas, requiring extensive upgrades or reinforcement works to the local network.

Upgrading the grid network in order to increase the power infrastructure can be both technically challenging and extremely time consuming, not to mention the associated costs. A simple grid connection can cost in the tens of thousands of pounds. However once you factor in potential wayleaves, the possibility of moving the point of connection, substations, and legal costs, it can really start to eat away at your budget.

This is where high powered electric vehicle charging can help. High-powered rapid charging ranges from 50kW up to 175kW or more, and as a result requires large grid upgrades and substations with enough power for 600-700 UK homes. By partnering with established charge point operators (CPOs) such as Osprey Charging, the grid connections, substations, legal negotiations and planning requirements are all covered, and will often bring with them surplus power.

Large CPOs have a wealth of experience in upgrading electrical infrastructure. They have dedicated teams and processes in place and strong relationships with District Network Operators (DNOs) in order to bring power to your site as efficiently as possible - as well as stocks of substations that can be installed. Not only do rapid charging networks like Osprey fully fund the charger and infrastructure installation, they also fund and manage all associated maintenance throughout the charging site’s lifecycle.

There are many benefits of partnering with a CPO to install rapid charging stations on your estate. Firstly, you can generate an income from the re-charging sold through stations installed on your previously non-revenue generating parking bays or land. You also benefit from increased footfall to your site, by providing a highly demanded service for both new and existing customers.

However, one of the most important benefits for landowners looking to expand their operations is that after the electrical infrastructure has been upgraded, surplus power is then made available for your own site upgrades and operations. DNOs will be there for the long term. Therefore, even once the charging network’s lease has expired your site will benefit from the increased grid infrastructure, which can be used for different developments and expansions well into the future.