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Data centre developers and hyperscalers in the UK are all facing the same problem, and it isn’t rack density or cooling efficiency, it’s grid access. National Grid connection queues within the UK are stretching years in some regions, and with the race to bring capacity online fully underway, a multi-year wait for power is a critical barrier to growth.

It’s a subject Steve Bradley, New Business Director at JSM, will be speaking on at Solar & Storage Live UK on 24th September, alongside Alex Goodall, CEO & Founder, Xela Energy. The conversation will focus on a question more and more operators are asking every quarter: what happens when you stop waiting for the grid, and start generating your own power instead?

Here’s an outline of what that actually looks like in practice, why it’s gaining momentum now, and where the genuine challenges lie.

The Grid Connection Bottleneck Facing UK Data Centres

New connection applications across the UK are currently being offered connection dates into the mid 2030s. For an industry where a delayed connection results in delayed revenue, missed customer commitments, and lost sites altogether, that timeline is simply incompatible with market demand.

The result of this is a growing gap between where operators want to build and where the grid can actually support them. Sites with planning consent, fibre connectivity and customer demand already in place are being put at risk by a connection date that’s years away, which in turn is pushing private power from a theoretical possibility into a genuine reality.

What “Going Private” Actually Means

Private power, at its core, means generating and/or managing electricity on or near the site itself, rather than relying solely on a standard grid import.

For data centres, that most commonly means pairing on-site or co-located solar generation with battery energy storage (BESS), connected to the site via a private wire, rather than depending entirely on the public network.

Private Wire vs a Standard Grid Connection

A standard grid connection draws all of a site’s power through the public distribution network, which is where the queueing problem originates. A private wire, by contrast, is a direct connection between a generation source (such as a solar array) and the site consuming power, built and owned outside the public network. It can run alongside a grid connection, rather than replacing it entirely, to provide an additional source of power that doesn’t depend on brand new network capacity being available.

This is also where an agnostic approach matters. JSM works as an IDNO or private network partner precisely because it isn’t tied to a single connection model. Whether a site needs a private wire arrangement, an IDNO-adopted network, or a hybrid of the two, the right answer depends on the site, not on which option happens to be on offer.

Why Solar Gets Paired with Battery Storage (BESS)

Solar generation alone doesn’t match a data centre’s load profile. Data centres draw power continuously, 24 hours a day, while solar generation is by default limited to daylight hours and can vary with British weather. This is where battery storage steps in. By storing surplus energy when solar generation is at its peak, it can then supply energy over a full 24 hours to help smooth the shortfall between generation and consumption.

Together, solar and battery storage form a microgrid: a self-contained power system that can operate alongside the public grid and reduce a site’s exposure to constrained network capacity, which offers developers and hyperscalers a viable solution for energy constraints.

Why This Is Gaining Ground Now

Outside of the growing timelines for a new grid connection, there are additional pressures converging to make private power a live conversation:

● The cost of grid reinforcement has become highly visible. Industry figures put the cost of new capacity at around £700,000 per megawatt in some cases, a number that changes the economics of self-generation almost overnight.
● Solar and battery technology costs have continued to fall, making on-site generation a genuinely competitive option rather than a premium add-on.

This means self-generation is no longer prohibitively expensive, and waiting for a grid connection is no longer free either. Based on commercials alone, private power is fast becoming the more financially sound route forward.

The Practical Challenges

None of this is turnkey. Any operator considering private power or microgrid solutions should go in with a clear view of what’s involved. Before ground is broken, five things need to be considered:

● Planning consent for on-site or co-located generation, which varies significantly by site and local authority and needs to be scoped early, in the pre-construction phase, not after commitments are made.
● Early and ongoing engagement with the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), even where the intention is to reduce reliance on the public network rather than remove it entirely.
● Compliance with the relevant grid codes, including G99 (for generation connecting to distribution networks) and G100 (assessing the impact of larger connections), which govern how private generation interacts safely with the wider grid.
● Realistic modelling of generation versus load, so the solar and BESS system is sized to actual demand rather than a best-case assumption.
● Assessment of the cable route required to link the solar and BESS system to the data centre, through a cable route feasibility study.

These aren’t reasons to avoid private power. They’re reasons to bring in an experienced partner who has done this before: a partner who can navigate planning, network engagement and compliance as a single coordinated process, rather than three separate ones.

How JSM Approaches Private Power Projects

This is where an integrated, in-house delivery model makes a practical difference. Rather than coordinating separate specialists for design, electrical engineering, network connection and construction, JSM manages private power projects end-to-end, from feasibility and DNO/IDNO engagement through to design, installation and commissioning.

That matters because private wire and microgrid projects sit at the intersection of several disciplines: electrical engineering, planning, network regulation and construction delivery.

Splitting those across multiple contractors introduces exactly the kind of delay that operators are trying to design their way out of in the first place.

A single accountable delivery partner, with its own in-house electrical engineering capability and an agnostic approach to connection models, keeps the project moving as one coordinated programme, mitigating wastage and maintaining commercial focus for all parties.

Hear More at Solar & Storage Live UK

This subject will be explored in more depth by Steve Bradley and Alex Goodall during a session at Solar & Storage Live UK on 24th September. The talk will look at how UK data centre operators are approaching private power in practice, and what to weigh up before committing to a project.

Connecting Solar to Data Centres
12:50pm, Thursday 24^th September, SSL Powering Data Centres stage

Talk to Us About Private Power

If grid connection delays are holding back a site that’s otherwise ready to build, it’s worth a conversation before the next connection offer date is pushed back further still. JSM’s in-house team can assess feasibility and manage the full delivery process, from design through to commissioning. Reach us at connect@jsmgroup.com.

When JSM opened its Design Hub in Faridabad, near Delhi, the reasoning was straightforward: more design capacity, closer to a deep pool of electrical engineering talent, and greater delivery resilience for clients when programmes ramp up. Six months on, that intent has turned into day-to-day delivery, with a growing local team producing electrical design for JSM projects and selected external clients.

Where it started

The hub was fitted out to support up to 30 design employees, with recruitment phased over the months that followed. Michael Booth, CEO, and Dave Rough, Chief Development Officer, travelled to India for the opening, meeting the local team and reviewing the completed workspace, a visit that marked the formal start of operations and set the tone for how the UK and India teams would work together.

Six months of progress

The major roles are already filled: design leadership and BIM modelling are in post, alongside further senior appointments made or due to join. That gives the hub coverage across primary and secondary design, cable design, civil design and CAD draughting in both 2D and 3D, the disciplines a substation scheme needs end to end. Recruitment continues in step with the project pipeline, with lead, senior and engineer-grade roles still opening across those disciplines as the hub scales.

The team is already supporting live work, including two 132kV data centre designs for the UK and one 110kV data centre design in Germany. The pattern of work is consistent: substations, grid connections and data centre power.

Led locally, integrated globally

Somansh Sharma manages the Faridabad office day to day. The hub works to the same technical assurance, quality assurance and delivery controls as every other part of the business, so shared governance and repeatable ways of working carry across borders rather than being rebuilt locally. India is not a separate outpost. The hub complements JSM’s design capability in the UK, where design co-ordinators run schemes through delivery, and it allows the group to grow that capability at a faster rate than would otherwise be possible.

Building depth of capability

Faridabad was chosen for its infrastructure and its proximity to two leading engineering universities, giving JSM access to a steady pipeline of emerging talent. The office itself sits on a major highway with a metro station five minutes away, making it straightforward for people to travel in, work together and build their careers in one place. Over time, that combination is what allows capability to deepen rather than simply headcount to rise.

The next six months

The priority is growth: from six today towards the 30 the office was fitted out for. The next round of recruitment is focused on a lead cable systems engineer and a lead protection design engineer, a senior cable systems engineer and a senior civil engineer, cable systems and civil engineers at engineer grade, and two further BIM modellers. Substation design remains the core of the work, with the team built around engineers who can deliver it consistently, supported by mentoring from the wider business.

For clients, the hub delivers more capacity when workloads spike, faster response across time zones, and the resilience of a globally integrated team, all underpinned by consistent engineering standards. It is a deliberate step in scaling JSM responsibly: improving certainty, speed and quality for the organisations that trust us to deliver.

Explore JSM’s full suite of services: jsmgroup.com

The utility infrastructure industry operates in an environment defined by complexity, long term risk and direct impact on people, communities and the environment. In that context, recognised standards matter. Frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are not abstract ideals; they provide a shared reference point for what responsible, resilient delivery should look like in practice.

At JSM, the relevance of the UN SDGs lies in their ability to bring structure and consistency to sustainability thinking. Although, to the un-initiated, the language of some of the SDGs might not seem intuitively relevant, as a leading provider of integrated utility infrastructure solutions, our business operations support society’s ambition to provide affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), creating quality jobs and economic growth (SDG8), shape sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Used properly, the SDGs provide a comprehensive roadmap to help organisations assess materiality, prioritise and cut focus effort where it genuinely adds value.

The SDGs aligns closely with The JSM Way, doing the right thing, the right way, every time for our people, our clients and the communities we work in. They reinforce long term thinking, accountability and ethical decision making, rather than short term compliance or superficial metrics. Importantly, the SDGs also provide credibility and transparency. Clients, regulators and financial stakeholders increasingly expect organisations to demonstrate progress against recognised frameworks, not just internal targets. Aligning our ESG strategy to the SDGs allows JSM to evidence improvement, track performance and benchmark ourselves against wider industry expectations, while still applying professional judgement rather than rigid prescription.

In an industry facing increasing scrutiny and increasing challenge, standards should act as enablers, not constraints. Used well, they help us move beyond compliance towards long term value creation, for JSM, for our people, and for the infrastructure our society relies upon. Having assessed our materiality and benchmarked our performance, we’ve consolidated the essence and language of the SDGs into our top three overarching ESG priorities.

ESG priorities

Act on climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (SDG 13)
Ensure responsible consumption, thorough client engagement, improve procurement & waste management practices. (SDG 12)
Building a great place to work, seeking to reduce inequalities and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all. (SDG 3, 4, 5, 8 & 10)

Preconstruction plays a vital role in the success of any project, and at JSM we’ve embedded a structured digital workflow to make this process faster, clearer, and more reliable. Danish Khan, Senior Quality Improvement Manager, has been instrumental in shaping this approach. He explains:

Our goal has always been clarity. This approach gives one reliable path from enquiry to site start. Clients get stronger assurance, and our teams have more control.

By using technology to streamline checks and link them directly to our Integrated Management System, we ensure projects start with complete readiness. This strengthens compliance with CDM and ISO standards and helps us deliver on time for clients. Traditionally, preconstruction involved multiple templates, lengthy email threads, and repeated checks, which slowed decisions and caused late changes. Our workflow addresses these challenges by creating one logical sequence for every pre-start check. This consistency reduces manual effort, improves visibility, and ensures accountability across all divisions.

The impact is clear, a single workflow now covers all checks, from permits and traffic management to welfare and drawings, giving project managers and site teams better visibility and a strong audit trail for governance. Clients benefit from faster identification of missing information, fewer aborted visits, and improved planning accuracy. Data shows a reduction in late programme changes and fewer wasted site visits, saving at least one full working day per project and reducing administrative effort across Preconstruction, Project Management, and SHEQ teams.

Feedback from employees highlights the practical benefits. Caitlin Byrne, Preconstruction Administrator, says:

Navigation is quicker, forms are more responsive, and everyday tasks are far more efficient.

On-site teams agree. Nick Stillwell, Preconstruction Supervisor, adds:

We can capture and process information instantly. The trial hole app lets us take photos and create sketches live during excavation, saving time and ensuring a smooth handover.

These tools are part of how JSM uses technology to keep projects moving efficiently and on schedule. By combining digital workflows with best practice, we continue to deliver work faster, smarter, and with clearer communication across the entire team, giving clients the assurance they expect.

The UK’s transmission and distribution networks are under unprecedented strain. Hyperscale data centres, renewable generation, and electrification of transport are driving demand profiles that far exceed historic norms, placing increasing pressure on power infrastructure and utility networks across the country. For years, developers have faced systemic bottlenecks: queue congestion, speculative applications, and opaque milestone tracking. The recent Connections Reform update from Ofgem and NESO marks a fundamental shift in how grid access is managed, and one that the infrastructure sector has long anticipated.

Why has grid access become such a critical constraint for infrastructure development?

Following the latest announcement, the readiness-based model under TMO4+ is now firmly embedded: “first ready and needed, first connected.” This replaces the legacy first-come-first-served approach, which allowed non-viable projects to occupy scarce capacity within the electricity network.

Under the new regime, Gate 2 offers are contingent on demonstrable readiness, land rights, planning consent, and strategic alignment with system needs. This change reflects the realities facing electric utilities infrastructure, where connection capacity must be prioritised for projects capable of delivery rather than speculative intent.

How does the readiness-based model support long-term network resilience? This reform is not simply a policy adjustment; it is a technical necessity. With more than double the required 381GW of generation and storage capacity for 2050 currently sitting in the connection queue, prioritisation is essential.

By aligning grid reinforcement and connection assets with projects that can progress, the new approach supports more effective planning across power infrastructure engineering, renewable energy infrastructure, and transmission networks, helping ensure investment delivers real-world outcomes.

What does connections reform mean for data centre developers? Data centres are now recognised as strategically aligned demand under NESO’s criteria, reflecting their role in the UK’s digital economy and wider data centre infrastructure ecosystem. However, alignment alone is no longer sufficient. Developers must clearly evidence readiness to avoid being deferred into Gate 1, where connection dates remain uncertain. For schemes targeting energisation before 2030, this places greater emphasis on accelerated planning consent, progression commitment fees, and compliance with whole-queue reordering protocols. Connection strategy has therefore become a defining factor in data centre design and infrastructure planning, influencing site selection, programme certainty, and long-term viability. [column_divider] How are industry stakeholders responding to the new connections landscape? This was a focal point at our April 2025 roundtable in partnership with Building Magazine: “Data Centres: Are We Doing Enough to Get Them Connected?” Industry stakeholders agreed that connection delays were the single largest risk to digital infrastructure delivery, often meaning that relocation was sought. The reforms confirmed in the latest update were widely recognised as a necessary step toward unlocking capacity for mission-critical developments and restoring confidence across the infrastructure services landscape. How can engineering readiness accelerate grid connections? At JSM Group, readiness isn’t just a regulatory checkbox, it’s an engineering challenge. Our teams integrate grid interface design, HV network engineering, and contestable works delivery with full administrative compliance for DNO and TNO processes. By managing every stage, from feasibility and route engineering to commissioning, we ensure projects meet readiness thresholds and secure early connection slots. Our turnkey delivery model provides a a single point of accountability, reducing risk and accelerating timelines. With more than 25 years’ experience delivering projects across power, telecoms, renewable energy, and utility infrastructure, we bring the technical depth and operational agility needed to navigate the complexities of queue management, connection agreements, and grid reinforcement planning. What role will connections reform play in the UK’s energy transition Connections reform is more than a regulatory update; it’s a structural evolution of the UK’s energy system. By embedding readiness criteria and enforcing milestone compliance, the industry can unlock latent capacity and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, digitally enabled economy. Explore our capabilities and see how JSM can help you stay ahead: View Our Portfolio

Why has grid access become such a critical constraint for infrastructure development?

For more than twenty years, JSM Group has delivered fibre optic connectivity across the United Kingdom. Our telecoms division has supported rural broadband programmes, national fibre roll outs and the extremely low latency networks needed by financial institutions and data centre operators.

As demand for bandwidth and speed continues to grow, the industry is now looking towards the next major step forward. That technology is Hollow Core Fibre, often referred to as HCF. In this article, Telecoms Director Daniel Rowan explains what HCF is, why it represents a significant change, and how it aligns with JSM Group’s forward looking approach to digital infrastructure.

What Is Hollow Core Fibre?

Hollow Core Fibre replaces the solid glass core found in traditional fibre with an air filled central channel. Light travels faster through air than through glass, which results in noticeably higher transmission speeds. In practical terms, this can reduce latency by up to half when compared with standard single mode fibre.

This improvement makes Hollow Core Fibre attractive in situations where even small delays matter. These situations include high frequency trading, real time data analytics and latency sensitive AI applications.

Further advantages of HCF include:

Significantly lower signal attenuation in advanced designs
Reduced need for repeaters on long distance routes
Better tolerance of high optical power levels
Reduced nonlinear effects that often disrupt dense wavelength division multiplexing
Lower signal dispersion, creating cleaner and more stable transmission
Enhanced resistance to temperature changes and radiation, which is particularly valuable in underground ducts
Improved security, as the air core design makes interception more difficult

These characteristics help to support very high bandwidths while improving reliability and reducing energy consumption.

Practical Uses in Data Centres and AI Connectivity

Hollow Core Fibre is especially valuable in data centres, where very low latency is critical for cloud computing, AI training and real time analytics. Several global operators are already considering HCF to speed up communication between servers and to reduce delays across complex processing environments.

HCF also has strong potential for short range links, such as connections between buildings or between racks inside data halls. In situations where traditional fibre begins to limit performance, HCF offers an immediate improvement.

Importantly, Hollow Core Fibre can often be integrated into existing fibre networks. Early deployments show that it is compatible with standard optics in many scenarios. This allows organisations to upgrade parts of a network without needing to replace everything.

As AI, 6G, edge computing and cloud services continue to expand, the need for fast and resilient data paths will grow. Hollow Core Fibre is expected to become increasingly common as part of modern telecom infrastructure.

Challenges to Consider

Although HCF offers clear benefits, it is still an emerging technology and should be understood in context. Current limitations include:

Higher manufacturing costs than standard fibre
Greater sensitivity to bending, which requires careful installation
The need for continued research and development to refine the design and further reduce loss

Even with these challenges, industry interest remains strong due to the clear performance gains and long term advantages.

What This Means for JSM Group

JSM Group is committed to supporting the next generation of telecom networks across the United Kingdom. Hollow Core Fibre aligns closely with this commitment.

Our teams can support clients with route design, installation, splicing, testing and integration into existing networks. We believe Hollow Core Fibre will play an important part in building faster, more reliable and more secure digital infrastructure for future applications, including AI, automation, smart cities and high capacity data platforms.

What we are seeing today is more than an incremental improvement. It is a shift towards a new model of connectivity that places speed, efficiency and reliability at the forefront of modern communication.

October 2025 marked a major change for the UK’s utility and street works sector. The new Street Works UK (SWUK) Material Classification Protocol came into effect, replacing the previous regulatory position statements and creating a single, risk-based process for classifying excavated waste. This article explains what has changed, how JSM Group prepared for the new rules, and what we have learned from our first month working within the updated framework.

What Has Changed?

The SWUK Material Classification Protocol provides a clearer and more consistent approach to handling waste from street works. Since earlier guidance had been withdrawn, the industry needed a modern, reliable method. The new protocol now fills that gap. Key changes include:

A risk-based approach

Every excavation that falls within the scope of the protocol must now be assessed using a standardised risk-based method. This takes into account historical land use, nearby contamination risks and environmental factors.

Applies to all qualifying works

Emergency, minor and major works must all follow the same waste classification process, regardless of size or urgency.

Stronger environmental protection

The structured process reduces the chances of misclassifying waste, helping protect land, water and air quality.

How JSM Prepared for the New Rules

In the months leading up to implementation, JSM delivered a thorough preparation programme to ensure that all teams were confident and ready.

1. Training and internal guidance

We developed clear, practical training for office staff, supervisors and site operatives. This included:

The purpose and requirements of the SWUK Protocol
A step-by-step overview of the classification process
Roles and responsibilities at each stage
Correct documentation and recording procedures
How to segregate excavated material effectively on site

2. Updated processes and digital tools

We reviewed and modernised our procedures and digital systems to align with the protocol. These updates included:

Introducing a desktop risk assessment during the planning stage
New segregation guidelines for stockpiling excavated material
A digital tool used by site teams to assess contamination indicators
Improved waste-transfer documentation to strengthen traceability

Our First Month Under the New System

After one month of operating under the new rules, the impact is clear across planning, excavation and waste-handling activities.

Desktop risk assessments

Each qualifying permit now undergoes a desktop assessment before any excavation begins. This assessment includes checks such as:

Historical land use
Known or potential contamination
Proximity to locations such as former landfill sites or petrol stations
Any previous knowledge from earlier works in the area

These findings are passed to site teams in advance so they know what to expect and how to prepare.

Segregation and classification on site

Material handling on site is now carried out in a more controlled manner. Teams now:

Separate excavated material into distinct stockpiles such as asphalt, sub-base or natural soil
Assess each stockpile using standard contamination indicators through our digital tool
Prioritise the reuse or recycling of clean material
Handle and dispose of any potentially contaminated material in line with the new requirements

Better documentation, sampling and reporting

We have strengthened our documentation processes so that every load of waste can be traced back to its excavation location and classification decision. We also support clients with required sampling. At least 1 per cent of excavations must be laboratory tested, as specified by the protocol. JSM is also fully prepared to provide the data required for quarterly reporting.

Benefits of the New Rules

The new protocol offers several advantages for clients, communities and the environment, including:

Improved environmental protection through more accurate waste classification
Greater transparency and accountability thanks to better documentation
More consistent standards across all types of street works
Reduced waste volumes by allowing clean material to be reused or recycled

Clear decisions supported by evidence from risk assessments and sampling

Waste segregation in action

Looking Ahead

The introduction of the SWUK Material Classification Protocol is more than a regulatory update. It represents a move towards a more sustainable, transparent and consistent approach to street works across the UK. At JSM, our focus now is on embedding these improvements into everyday operations, continuing to refine our approach and supporting clients as the wider industry adapts.

At JSM Group, a leading Utility Infrastructure Provider delivering integrated utility infrastructure solutions, our commitment to precision and innovation continues to shape the way we approach infrastructure planning and engineering services. One area where this is especially evident is in our use of bathymetric surveys, a technique that has evolved dramatically over time, transforming from rudimentary depth measurements to high-resolution underwater mapping. Nick Stillwell, a Pre-Construction Supervisor at JSM, explains how bathymetric surveys now play a critical role in supporting our utility infrastructure solutions and other engineering projects during the early planning stages.

How have bathymetric surveys evolved to support modern infrastructure planning?

Bathymetric surveying has a surprisingly ancient origin, dating back over 3,000 years to Ancient Egypt, where they relied on manual methods like lead lines and sounding poles, offering limited accuracy and coverage. Today, technologies such as Single Beam Sonar, GNSS, and Total Station workflows allow us to capture detailed spatial data with speed and precision. This evolution has unlocked new possibilities for infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, and flood risk management.

Why is bathymetric surveying critical for integrated land and water design?

In a recent project, our team conducted a comprehensive bathymetric and topographic survey over two days, with a one-day turnaround on reporting. With the goal to support infrastructure planning with reliable, high-resolution data and by integrating underwater and land-based surveying techniques, we created a seamless model of the land-water interface which is critical for accurate volume calculations and design planning.

The resulting data provided planners, engineers, and stakeholders with the confidence to progress designs efficiently and reduce risk at later project stages.

What challenges do bathymetric surveys present on complex infrastructure projects?

Bathymetric surveying presents unique technical and environmental challenges. Factors such as water movement, visibility constraints, and restricted access require careful coordination, specialist training, and robust workflows.

However, through and robust workflows, JSM successfully delivered:

Full 3D surface models
Detailed CAD drawings
GIS-ready datasets suitable for integration into wider utility infrastructure solutions and digital infrastructure contractor workflows

These outputs empower engineers and planners working across utility services and other engineering frameworks to move forward with clarity and confidence.

How are bathymetric surveys shaping the future of resilient infrastructure?

As infrastructure projects become more complex and climate resilience more urgent, bathymetric surveys are no longer niche, they are essential. They enable a deeper understanding of submerged environments, support risk assessment, and allow infrastructure to be designed with long-term resilience in mind.

At JSM, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, using cutting-edge survey technologies to support utility infrastructure experts, integrated utility infrastructure solutions, and full turnkey services across the UK and beyond. By combining innovation with engineering expertise, we continue to deliver insights that help shape the future of sustainable, resilient infrastructure.