Woodhead Group has won its biggest ever contract to deliver a new state-of-the-art facility for the University of Nottingham.

The firm will develop the £13.5m Research and Innovation Centre for Power Electronics and Machines, providing a global centre of excellence for the university's world-leading Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group.

Located on the Jubilee Campus, the development will also feature office and research accommodation for the research group and will join the Faculty of Engineering's growing research cluster.

Professor Pat Wheeler, Head of the Power Electronics, Machines and Control Research Group, said: "New technologies for Power Electronics and Electrical Machines are essential to meet the massive economic and environmental benefits of transportation electrification and the integration of renewable energy sources in our electrical utility networks. 


"This Centre provides the exciting opportunity for the research group to continue to expand its world leading research work in these increasingly important research topics.

"We are looking forward to working with Woodhead Group as well as the selected design and project management partners, to ensure the successful and timely delivery of this exciting flagship project."

This centre of excellence is the latest in a number of projects to be completed by Woodhead for the university, including the BREEAM Excellent-rated Ingenuity Centre and the Research Acceleration Demonstration building.

Tom Woodhead, business services director at Woodhead Group added: "We're absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the contractor for such a landmark project.

"Having collaborated on several projects for the University of Nottingham in recent years, we know that it takes its position at the cutting edge of innovation very seriously, and we are committed to delivering a facility that matches their ambition.

"The university and faculty are world leaders in PEMC research, and we are looking forward to getting on site and starting work on a build that will further enhance this reputation."

The design for the new facility was put forward by architects Bond Bryan and will be project managed by Aecom, with Turner and Townsend acting as cost consultant.

Work is expected to start on site this summer.

(CM/JG)