Kings Building Infrastructure, University of Edinburgh

2 Minute Read

Sector

Education

Services

Hard Services

Key Criteria

Resilience

Region

Scotland

The University of Edinburgh logo featuring a circular crest with a shield and the text “The University of Edinburgh” to the right.
A large, historic stone building with a central dome and arched entrances surrounds a green courtyard under a cloudy sky. The architecture features classical columns and symmetrical design.

Executive Summary

OCS (formerly FES Support Services) was appointed as Principal Contractor to deliver the first phase of a major 10- to 15-year infrastructure development plan at the University of Edinburgh’s Kings Building Campus. This £10.5 million package focused on improving power resilience and upgrading critical energy infrastructure, all delivered within a live university setting while safeguarding academic operations.

  • £10.5 Million

    Capital investment to strengthen campus infrastructure resilience

  • 4

    New substations installed across the Kings Building Campus

  • 14

    Month programme delivered with zero disruption to university operations

  • 2500 Metres

    Of new HV and LV cabling installed across campus

  • A modern building with wood and glass exterior is under construction, surrounded by scaffolding, metal fencing, and construction materials, with green trees and a clear blue sky in the background.
  • View of industrial HVAC units and cooling systems on a rooftop, with metal walkways, pipes, and railings under a partly cloudy sky and surrounded by trees in the background.
  • Rows of solar panels are installed on a grassy field with trees in the background under a clear blue sky, capturing sunlight for renewable energy production.

The Brief

The University of Edinburgh required a modernisation of its mechanical and electrical infrastructure at Kings Buildings following several major power outages.

OCS was tasked with delivering critical upgrades to ensure resilient, future-ready systems, while maintaining the safety, accessibility, and functionality of the live campus throughout delivery.

The project was successfully completed on time and to budget, with no impact on day-to-day university operations, including during sensitive exam periods.

The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill overlooks Edinburgh at sunrise, with sun rays spreading over the city’s historic buildings and a partly cloudy sky.

The Outcome

The upgraded infrastructure has significantly enhanced the resilience, performance, and flexibility of the Kings Building Campus, laying the groundwork for subsequent development phases.

OCS’s collaborative approach with the University and its stakeholders ensured that both technical and operational priorities were met without compromise, setting a new benchmark for infrastructure delivery in live academic environments.

BEST Outcomes

  • Seamless integration with university operations ensured no disruption to teaching, learning, or campus life.
  • A tightly coordinated phasing and logistics plan enabled safe, efficient delivery while protecting the academic calendar.
  • Robust health and safety, controlled access strategies, and dynamic risk management safeguarded students, staff, and visitors.
  • The campus now benefits from significantly enhanced power reliability and future-proofed infrastructure to support growth.
  • OCS has helped the University of Edinburgh create a resilient infrastructure platform that will underpin its development vision for the next 15 years.
  • 0%

    of works delivered outside core academic hours to protect university operations.

  • A solid orange circle with a white downward-pointing arrow in the center.

    1st of 6 phases forming a long-term infrastructure upgrade strategy

    • Productivity
    • Innovation
    • Social Value
    • Sustainability

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