Looking forward: How Decarbonisation and Urban Pressures Are Reshaping Our Buildings’ Electrical Networks

Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it’s the defining challenge of our time. In response, the UK government has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, putting intense focus on the built environment. Buildings are responsible for around 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint, with almost half of that stemming from how we heat and power them.

The road to decarbonisation is accelerating. Across both residential and commercial sectors, buildings are now expected to support smart technologies and renewable energy systems. However, while these trends bring innovation, they also introduce new challenges — particularly for the electrical networks that underpin them.

Richard, please can you tell us how modern building construction trends are putting new and increased pressures on their electrical networks?

In a nutshell, we’re asking more of our buildings than ever before. Whether it’s a high-rise apartment block or a commercial development, there’s an increasing need to fit more people, more equipment, and smarter technology into the same — or often smaller — spaces.

This brings several challenges, such as an increased electrical demand from things like EV charging, solar generation, air source heat pumps, and advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. There are also smaller plant rooms and service spaces that need to meet these increased efficiency goals. All this is coupled with the greater complexity of the electrical design and system integration needs of developments.

So, while we need more powerful and capable electrical systems, we often have less physical space to install the traditional equipment we’ve relied on.

What does this mean then for traditional switchgear design?

In theory, to handle the increased load, you’d simply install larger LV distribution equipment. But in practice, space constraints make that very challenging. In addition, spaces can be oddly shaped which creates a significant challenge for Tier 1 and electrical contractors who find it difficult to procure what they require off the shelf.

This mismatch between demand and space is forcing the industry to rethink traditional approaches to electrical network design. We need compact, flexible solutions that maximise performance without exceeding space limitations — and that’s where innovation is key.

How is Actemium addressing these challenges?

As part of our switchgear services, we focus on creating bespoke LV panel solutions tailored to the real-world constraints our clients face.

We adopt a modular design approach, which gives us the flexibility to build switchboards in different shapes — straight, L-, T-, or U-shaped — and adjust the height to fit into tight or awkward spaces.

We can also integrate, or position remotely, key systems like power factor correction, harmonic filtering, CT chambers, and changeover systems to meet the specific demands of each project. Depending on what the project calls for, we offer both fully welded switchboards and modular systems made with Cubic modular steelwork.

Plus, as authorised partners with major OEMs such as Schneider Electric and Eaton, we work with trusted platforms including Okken, Xenergy, and Prisma SetP/G. This allows us to provide solutions that can meet even the most complex space, technical, and budget challenges.

With this in mind, what advice would you give to contractors and design teams embarking on new built environment projects with the above constraints?

The most important advice I can give is: engage early.

When we are involved during the early design stages — whether with consulting engineers, main contractors, developers, or end clients — we can help assess feasibility, optimise spatial planning, ensure technical compliance and most importantly, provide early guidance on budgeting and specification.

This proactive approach significantly improves project outcomes and reduces the risk of costly redesigns later.

The drive toward decarbonisation and high-performance buildings is here to stay. But the impact on electrical infrastructure can’t be an afterthought.

With early collaboration and the right engineering partner, it’s entirely possible to design smarter, more efficient, and space-conscious systems that meet the demands of today — and tomorrow.

Have a project which requires a customised or bespoke LV switchgear solution? Get in touch through reachout@actremium.co.uk.