SES Engineering Services wins £12.5m contract for University of Bath high-tech facility

Leading national engineering specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES), has been appointed to deliver £12.5m worth of MEP services to the University of Bath’s £70m Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS).

SES will provide full mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services across the university’s new 11,300 sq m IAAPS site, located at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Bristol.

The two-storey scheme will house 17 specialist pieces of equipment used to test vehicle propulsion systems, as well as offices, experimental and demonstration spaces, prototyping workshops and start-up space for future entrepreneurial activities.

IAAPS will be a world-leading centre for research and innovation into future advanced propulsion systems. Its unique experimental facilities, combined with academic expertise in advanced propulsion systems, will enable the development of new technologies for ultra-low emission vehicles.

The SES team, led by Operations Manager Andy Harris, will work closely with main contractor Rydon Construction and other stakeholders during the design process to ensure the integration of the propulsion test cell suppliers’ highly complex technical requirements.

Work started on site in October 2019, with completion expected in August 2020. IAAPS will be operational in early 2021.

Steve Tovey, SES’ Business Director for Midlands and South West, said: “This latest contract win continues to demonstrate our prowess when it comes to delivering high-tech projects. Our technical expertise, experience in automotive research establishments, digital engineering capability, off site capability and ability to deliver BIM Level 2 projects were all critical in helping us secure the contract.

“IAAPS will be the catalyst to develop future generations of ultra-low emission vehicles and we look forward to applying our technical authority in delivering this landmark facility safely and on time.”

The appointment is the latest project to demonstrate SES’ expertise in delivering complex, high-tech projects in the region, including The Avonmouth Resource Recovery Centre and work on E.ON’s combined heat and power (CHP) project in Rugby.