- Vattenfall IDNO’s grid consultancy service has enabled a faster and cheaper energisation of a new 10-bay electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Devon.
- Working in partnership with Ionity GmbH, Vattenfall IDNO’s consultancy saved Poppy Properties over £1 million via expert value engineering.
- The connection was made three years earlier than the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) had originally quoted.
When Poppy Properties Ltd set out to develop a new roadside retail and EV charging hub at Dolbeare Meadow, they faced a significant challenge: the local DNO’s initial connection offer required costly network reinforcement and would have delayed the project by several years. Recognising the impact this would have on the site’s viability, Poppy Properties turned to Vattenfall IDNO for a solution.
Vattenfall IDNO’s Grid Consultancy team took a proactive approach, taking over direct negotiations with the DNO and conducting a detailed technical review of the available options. By challenging the original assumptions and reapplying for a more appropriately sized connection, Vattenfall IDNO was able to secure access to spare capacity on the network. This not only reduced the connection cost by over £1 million but also brought the energisation date forward by three years - enabling Poppy Properties to open their EV hub and retail park on schedule.
Throughout the three-year project, Vattenfall IDNO provided end-to-end support. The consultancy team coordinated technical revisions, managed legal agreements, and navigated commercial changes, ensuring Poppy Properties were kept informed at every stage. When the original Charge Point Operator withdrew, Vattenfall IDNO helped identify and engage a new partner, keeping the project on track.
Vattenfall’s integrated team of engineers, legal experts, and project managers worked closely with Poppy Properties to overcome every barrier. Land rights were secured in time for grant funding, and on-site delivery was overseen to ensure the new connection met Vattenfall’s rigorous technical standards.
William Palk, Partner at Poppy Properties Ltd, said:
'Without Vattenfall’s support, this project simply wouldn’t have been viable. Their team helped us navigate a complex and costly DNO process, find an affordable connection route, and get our EV hub energised much earlier than the DNO proposed. Their Grid Connections Consultancy service and final adoption of the network have saved us more than a million pounds.'
The result is a fully energised 1.5MVA connection for Phase 1, with future capacity secured for site expansion. The Asset Adoption Value rebate provided by Vattenfall exceeded the cost of contestable works, meaning the site was delivered for the price of the non-contestable works alone. Consultancy fees were waived following asset adoption, providing Poppy Properties with three years of expert grid support at no cost.
Bilgin Oralerkaya, Grid Consultancy Manager at Vattenfall IDNO, said:
'This project is a great example of how Vattenfall’s Grid Consultancy service can unlock significant value for developers. By combining technical expertise with proactive negotiation, we helped Poppy secure a faster, more cost-effective connection and avoid unnecessary reinforcement costs.'
The Dolbeare Meadow project demonstrates the value of Vattenfall IDNO’s Grid Consultancy for delivering faster connections, substantial cost savings, and expert support for complex energy infrastructure projects.
For more information on Vattenfall IDNO’s grid consultancy service, visit here.
Source: Vattenfall
