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Dalkia has been appointed by the British Museum to deliver the Energy Centre Programme, a critical component of the Museum’s wider Masterplan. As one of the most significant cultural redevelopment initiatives underway globally, the Masterplan will reshape the British Museum for the 21st century. The Energy Centre will be transformative in phasing out fossil fuels and improving the efficiency and resilience of its energy infrastructure.
As Principal Contractor, Dalkia will oversee all works within the Museum estate, including civil engineering, architectural fit-outs and a complete overhaul of the existing infrastructure. This modernisation will replace ageing systems with a highly efficient energy solution. Alongside this, Dalkia will deliver the full MEP package for the base build of the Energy Centre, supporting Sir Robert McAlpine, providing a facility designed to secure resilient, low-carbon energy provision for decades to come.
Sustainability is a central to the programme. The scheme will replace the Museum’s gas-fired boiler plant with a state-of-the-art system combining a 5.1MW air-source heat pump, a 7MW water-source heat pump and a 900kW electrical boiler providing resilient backup. These upgrades are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 1,700 tonnes annually, significantly advancing the Museum’s decarbonisation goals. The programme also includes major electrical infrastructure enhancements, including a new high-voltage ring main, low-temperature hot water primary services, rewiring of sub-mains and the relocation of the HV intake substation to strengthen resilience and improve efficiency across the estate.
Colin Brunton, Regional Managing Director at Dalkia, commented: “We are thrilled to lead this pivotal project at the British Museum. We are proud to deliver cutting-edge infrastructure upgrades that not only align with the Museum’s sustainability objectives but also preserve its operational integrity throughout the works. Our experience in delivering large-scale energy projects in complex environments will ensure the success of this transformative initiative.”
Judith McNicol, Managing Director, British Museum said: “We are delighted to be working with Dalkia on this vital phase of our Masterplan. Modernising our energy infrastructure is essential to transforming the Museum, reducing our environmental impact and ensuring we can continue to care for the collection for generations to come. Dalkia’s expertise in delivering complex, low-carbon energy solutions gives us confidence that this programme will strengthen the resilience and sustainability of our estate for decades ahead.”
The Energy Centre Programme represents a landmark investment in the future of the British Museum, combining modern energy technologies with a commitment to environmental responsibility.
