Vital Energi has scooped £3.1m contract to design and build the Energy Centre for phase 3 of Berkeley Homes North East London's Woodberry Down development, which is located next to Finsbury Park.

Commenced in 2009, Berkeley is regenerating the neighbourhood in a 30-year project which will deliver over 5,500 mixed-tenure new homes. The development will be built over 8 phases, and will create a bustling community which is also home to 15 acres of landscaped parkland, 42 acres of open water, including a water sports and open water swimming reservoir, and the Woodberry Wetlands –a dedicated nature reserve cared for by the London Wildlife Trust.


Vital Energi will install 800kW of air source heat pumps (ASHP) on the roofs of two blocks, which will extract heat from the air and supply heating and hot water to the development.s

Primary low-temperature heating system (LTHW) pipework will be installed within the Energy Centre, as well as distribution pipework which will run from the heat pump down to the energy centre, which when complete, will serve all 8 phases of the development. Three 1.5MW condensing boilers will be fitted within the new Energy Centre along with a Building Management System, as well as three 6.5m high 27,000 litre thermal stores.

The Energy Centre will be a double height space (9m high) located adjacent to the basement and ground floor levels, so plant deliveries will require complex engineering, including a specialist movement company and temporary works design.

Once complete, Vital Energi will operate and maintain the Energy Centre for 2 years, to ensure all equipment is maintained to a high standard, and carry out planned and reactive services of the Energy Centre.

Vital Energi will commence construction at the end of August.