Craig Topley, Energy Assets’ Group Managing Director (Construction) talks to PHPD about the advantages to housebuilders and developers of single source multi-utility provision, the drivers behind the recent brand unification and opportunities opening up through asset rebating.
Why did Energy Assets Utilities bring all its operations inside the EAU brand earlier this year?
When we launched Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) in 2015, our objective was to create a multi-utility network design and construction business with a nationwide footprint. We expanded our operations through the acquisition of Dragon Infrastructure Solutions (DIS) in 2017 and Future Energy Group last year. Having extended our reach across Britain, with offices in Livingston and Alva (Scotland), Northampton, Birstall and Sheffield, bringing all these operations inside the EAU brand helps present a unified proposition to housebuilders and developers, wherever they are based.
What are EAU’s plans for the housebuilder market?
We are investing heavily in our multi-utility capability to reflect the significant move among housebuilders towards single source providers for gas, water and electricity networks. We’ve also added fibre-to-the-home to our services to meet increasing demand for the superfast connectivity needed to drive the growing array of digital services linked to energy management and lifestyle choices.
Housebuilders and developers all face challenges around how best to specify and cost-effectively connect an increasingly diverse range of utility services, particularly with the pace of change in technology, so we are determined to stay ahead of the curve. Soon this could also include EV charging networks.
How can housebuilders and developers optimise value through network construction?
Housebuilders generally prefer to partner with contractors capable of providing all gas, water, electric and fibre solutions. It is easier to organise and manage – there is only one port-of-call, one trench to dig and it is better from an environmental point of view.
Developers also realise the inherent value in utility asset rebating. Our experience in local network ownership through Energy Assets Networks (electricity) and Energy Assets Pipelines (gas) helps ensure that developers benefit from strong asset values to offset construction costs.
Craig Topley, Energy Assets’ Group Managing Director (Construction) is responsible for utility network construction at the company. For more information visit www.energyassets.co.uk
