Vince Colby

Since 2022, I have been working for Pure Data Centres Group providing a range of new energy and utility delivery solutions aligned to the constraints of specific geographies. I’m currently providing service to internal customers such as site selection, investments, feasibility, pre-construction, construction and operations in the UK, Ireland, the Nordics, Spain, Netherlands, Abu Dhabi, Jakarta and the KSA. My role is to;

• Lead and oversee all aspects to obtain initial capacity quotes, design, engineering, scheduling, and contracts for new MV, HV and EHV utility projects, from feasibility to delivery of the same (physical construction owned/driven by the Delivery team).
• Lead the process to obtain and secure utility power connection agreements, including procurement of renewable energy options where feasible.
• Review power infrastructure designs and ensure alignment with project requirements and specifications.
• Support Development (pre-construction) and thereafter Construction Managers for execution of the MV/HV/EHV utility supply.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and opportunities to innovate using concepts from within and outside of the data centre industry.
• Provide innovation and market disrupter models where traditional models do not meet strategic or project objectives.
• Designed business strategies to obtain short and long-term goals for the company.
• Procurement of energy including typical supply agreements, CPPAs, VPPAs etc to meet the needs of each DC facility and overall company RE strategy.

AHE are engineers, scientists, researchers and practitioners delivering scaled solutions to the most urgent challenges facing our planet and its people. AHE operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pure DC Group, and we are part of its work to decarbonise digital infrastructure with renewable energy and carbon mitigation and management solutions. The focus is on innovation and new technologies providing potential nature-based carbon-saving opportunities such as biochar, vertical farming, district heating networks, ocean nourishment, and hydrogen derivatives

• Co-founder and Director of Utility Assets Ltd, (UAL) was recently purchased by Antin Infrastructure Fund. I'm currently managing daily operations by overseeing financials, business performance and employee performance during initial market scenario testing and market (UK electricity) entry.
• The seventh Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), awarded a distribution license by OFGEM in March 2011
• Utility Assets are an innovative, flexible electricity network operator that provides electricity distribution services aimed primarily at multi-occupied residential buildings and the commercial and retail market, e.g. data centres, business parks, retail shopping and distributed generation
• Established to provide an alternative option for commercial and retail developers in choosing an electricity network operator for their sites and to meet their obligations for third-party access on license-exempt networks.
• UAL has been prepared to complement SNRG Smartgrid's renewable energy services.
• Worked with the SNRG board of directors to establish objectives and decisively lead new operations.

• Managed daily operations by overseeing financials, key performance indicators and employee performance.
• Formulated business plans to increase growth and minimise costs for the company.
• Directed day-to-day work for up to 15 specialist utility consultants and motivated teams to exceed objectives. Allocated resources to teams and projects based on need, performance and availability.

Battersea Power Station, London; Utilities Projects Commercial Lead reporting to BPS Directors,

• 40MVA Connection negotiations with incumbent DNO including management of the new connection non-contestable works package,
• Procurement of the HV Network Contract for the contestable works,
• Procurement of the new MP and LP Gas Connection Contract,
• Procurement of the Electricity Network Adoption Agreement from the IDNO marketplace
• Procurement of the Main Energy Centre and Network, D&B Contract,
• Negotiation of the Energy Services Contract including business case evaluation and development of strategy to meet current and future energy requirements,
• Contract Management of
• JCT D&B HV Contract,
• JCT D&B Main Energy Centre & District Energy Networks,
• Bespoke IDNO Electricity network adoption,
• Support to BPS Directors and Shareholders based on specialist knowledge, district energy, power, and statutory undertaker negotiations.

Old Oak Common, London; Power and District Energy Consultancy

• Commercialisation of the technical approach underpinning the low carbon district energy strategy.
• Development of the DE business case and delivery strategy
• Business case development
• Market engagement
• Outline procurement strategy
• Review of Electricity Strategy, implementation of change
• Secured long term capacity 30MVA from the incumbent DNO network
• Confirmed delivery strategy for Old Oak North

VBC Associates Ltd is a niche independent energy and utilities consultancy business, helping clients navigate these markets and achieve company and project objectives. A selection of assignments undertaken;

• Stratford City – Integral part of SCDL Utilities Team, working in conjunction with the ODA reporting directly to the SCDL Development Director undertook all commercial and regulatory aspects with regard to the procurement and implementation of the site wide utilities including gas, power, CCHP energy centres and district heat and cool networks. Development of procurement and commercial strategy, concession agreement and associated supply and access agreements. Validation of various energy related business cases.
• Himley Village, Bicester – Onsite and offsite utility Infrastructure planning, design and procurement to serve 1700 unit residential led development
• Local Partnerships (LP) – Various District Heating (DH) Schemes – Provide commercial review, strategic feedback and feasibility modelling as applicable on various DH schemes involving LP
• TVC Development – Energy and utilities adviser to Stanhope, providing technical, procurement and general advice in new utility and energy infrastructure
• Imperial West – technical adviser to Imperial Collage, London including the procurement of a new substantial power connection including the locating of a 66MVA primary substation under the A4 Westway
• Alconbury Development – procurement strategy for new utilities and energy infrastructure to serve a substantial mixed-use development
• Imperial College, Sussex Gardens procurement of new power HV connection from the competition in connections competitive marketplace (ICP)
• London Legacy Development Company – Employer’s Agent Concession Agreement for the Community Energy Network
• Feasibility and business modelling of new city centre district energy scheme for Stoke-on-Trent City Council
• Imperial College – White City Masterplan, procurement of a new Primary substation and support to design team utilities and district heating
• North-West Cambridge – development of energy and utilities procurement strategy, market engagement and tendering
• Coventry Heatline – commercial lead in the procurement of a new district heating scheme utilising heat output from an existing EfW Plant serving the city centre.
• Norwich Powerhouse – development and validation of a new power generation station business case utilising new gasification technology.
• Various 5MW PV Renewable Energy schemes – development of project portfolios for large-scale PV solar, funder and developer validation.
• Westfield London – Commercialisation of the private electricity and heating and cooling networks (condenser water loop). Development of end-user charging methodologies and tariffs, matched to equivalent competitive market alternate fuel sources whilst achieving a rate of return for the investors
• Greenwich Peninsula – Development and implementation of a utility procurement strategy covering electricity, gas and potable water
• Achievements : completion of the first electricity capacity reservation agreement in London; off balance sheet provision with client upside benefits of the gas network; negotiations with Thames Water on effective solution to offsite infrastructure matters
• Land Securities – Production of a utility procurement and delivery strategy to facilitate utility infrastructure plans on a number of proposed new developments and re-developments
• Inner Temple – Advised on the most appropriate negotiation strategy to ensure a new transformer project was negotiated and delivered to the customer’s requirement at the minimum cost
• Troubleshooting on existing negotiations with local utility to provide a substantial customer saving
• Anglian Water Services – Development and production of the tender and contract documents for an innovative competitive tender and outsource project. AWS looked at outsourcing their entire Developer Services Business unit, including in-house staff. This project concerned the development of contract scope, assessment of business risk, market engagement and assessment, development of evaluation process, implementation of commercial strategy
• Rutherford Appleton Laboratories – Strategy procurement report on the feasibility for on-site generation for the provision of additional power to meet the increased load demand profiles
• Including market assessment, whole-life costing and local REC negotiation support

• Responsible for the overall strategic direction of the business unit
• Development and implementation of a contract management plan aimed at the Electricity Distribution Utility Sector
• Development and implementation of the appropriate project management systems to ensure a first class service delivery
• Full budgetary control and responsibility for all project work, including reporting of the management accounts and progress across all measures in line with budget/plan to the Board. Tracked KPIs to drive profitability and target delivery
• Increased the customer based, securing substantial long term contracts with major electricity utility companies
• Achievement : secured turnover increased from £50k to £30million per annum, Recruited and established a project Management team, empowered staff to contribute to continuous improvement, quality and growth of the company
• Achievement: Responsible for new market entry into nascent independent Electricity Connections Market
• Achievement : Considerate Contractor Gold Award for Corporation of London.
• Achievement : first independent connections provide to secure and complete contestable electricity projects in London and the South East

• Promoted to the Operational Board to continue as business head, Development of Multi Utility Business Strategy,
• Implementation of the plan into the nascent Multi Utility market,
• Formulated business plans to increase growth and minimise cost for company.
• Development of Risk Management policy for unregulated utility markets to facilitate market entry, M
• Management and control of divisional budget and all project budgets,
• Project Management role on all secured projects to ensure strategic objectives are aligned to operational and project requirements
• Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability
• Led negotiations with vendors and suppliers, securing favourable terms.

• Established a divisional business plan, which increased profitability and improved relationships with clients, within a sustainable department,
• Tender adjudication, as part of a team, on high value tenders, £250,000+ threshold,
• Managed and supervised team members, providing mentorship and guidance.
• Developed further business opportunities with new utility and commercial clients,
• Development and implementation of new partnership and alliance strategies, Identified and developed business improvement synergies between all utility operations such as water and gas,
• Project Management responsibility for all construction projects
• Coordinated with senior management to communicate and execute strategic directives.
• Researched and analysed market to provide insights for informed decision-making.

• 33kV and 11kV overhead line construction, repair and maintenance, 33kV and 11kV overhead line refurbishment, Underground network reinforcement and network improvements up to 33kV, Co-ordination of fault repairs on the distribution network out of hours, Co-ordination of major repairs and network supply interruptions, requiring liaison with major industrial and individual domestic customers, Commissioning of pole mounted equipment, transformers and switchgear, Undertook duties of a Senior Authorised Person including switching, isolating and earthing of plant, apparatus, equipment, cables and overhead lines up to 33kV, Issue and receipt of sanctions for test, permits to work and limitations of access safety documentation.