JSM completes 110kV substation at Berlin data centre
Author: Joe Peck
JSM Services, part of utility infrastructure provider JSM Group, has completed the structural works on a 110kV substation at maincubes’ mainHub data centre campus in Nauen, near Berlin, six months after construction began.
The topping-out ceremony took place on 13 October and marks progress on the power infrastructure for the campus.
As general contractor, JSM is delivering the 200MVA substation and an approximately 6km high-voltage cable route connecting the campus to the Wustermark substation. The project is JSM’s first in Germany.
Construction began at the end of February, but ground investigations found topsoil up to 3m deep, compared with the expected 1m. Around 4,200m³ of soil was replaced to provide a secure foundation. During summer temperatures of up to 41°C, concrete pours were scheduled for the early hours to maintain progress.
The substation incorporates around 250 tonnes of structural steel embedded in concrete and approximately 3,500m² of precast walls and ceilings. An 11m-span ceiling in the central block was lifted into place in a single day.
Peter Östlund (pictured above), Managing Director of JSM Services, says, “Today, there is no longer a wooden roof truss here, but concrete and steel. Yet, the essence of a topping-out ceremony remains the same: it is a celebration of gratitude towards the people who built it.
“10 design firms, 14 companies, and even more suppliers have worked together on this building. Despite its comparatively small size, it is highly complex, and every one of them has played their part in getting us here.”
Cable route works progress in parallel
The substation will house four transformers, each weighing just under 70 tonnes. The installation of building services is scheduled to begin at the end of October, followed by the delivery of the transformers.
Work on the cable route is progressing across four construction phases. More than 27km of protective conduit has been laid, around 14,000m³ of cable trench excavated, and more than 3,000 tonnes of asphalt removed. 10 horizontal boreholes are planned to cross the L161 and B5 roads.
The project has also involved managing archaeological finds, crossing existing water and gas pipes and other utilities, and protecting trees and wildlife.
JSM reports that around 18,000 working hours have been completed at the substation and a further 6,200 on the cable route, totalling approximately 24,000 hours without an accident resulting in lost time or serious injury.
Thomas Wacker, Chief Development Officer at maincubes, comments, “The topping-out of the substation marks an important milestone in the development of mainHub Berlin and brings us one step closer to delivering the infrastructure needed to support the campus.
“A reliable power supply is fundamental to the long-term success of any data centre, and we are pleased to see this critical element taking shape on schedule. The progress achieved in just six months is a testament to the commitment and expertise of everyone involved.
“We look forward to the next phase as we continue to bring our vision for mainHub Berlin to life.”
The Nauen development expands maincubes’ presence in the Berlin region, building on the operation of its existing BER01 data centre.
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