A TYNESIDE company is creating 20 new jobs after landing a muilti-million pound three-year deal to help communications giant Virgin Media cut its energy costs.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning experts Upnorth Group, based in Blaydon, will carry out energy assessments at 700 Virgin Media sites across the UK. The expansion will bring its workforce up to a total of 74.
The project will involve Upnorth Group providing an energy performance service in which case assessments, optimisation and replacement of critical power and cooling systems are expected to show significant energy and carbon dioxode improvements.
Upnorth Group managing director Stewart Grierson described the deal as a “significant win” for the business.
“Like many UK firms under the watchful eye of increasing energy use legislation, Virgin Media is keen to improve energy performance and make carbon reductions,” he said.
“We have started the project by optimising four of its data centres in Knowsley, Merseyside. Here we use free indirect chilled water technology in which we elevate water temperatures and provide low ambient free cooling for more than 60% of the year.
“By installing this cooling technology, the company will see energy reduced by 70% and will benefit the client with an annual electric power savings of more than £100,000 per year for the sites in Knowsley alone.”
He added: “Winning a three-year contract with Virgin Media is a significant win for Upnorth Group and will see us increase our workforce to 74 staff, which is good news in creating 20 quality jobs in such a challenging environment.”
Martin Wade, head of Virgin Media heating, ventilation and air conditioning facilities, said: “Upnorth Group has worked very closely with us to help us understand the benefits of hot and cold aisle thermal containment.
“The Group’s dedicated employees and management team have put Virgin Media’s data centre on a solid footing and have already saved the company a substantial financial amount.
“Knowing Upnorth Group is now part of the family for the next three years is a real bonus to the Virgin Media team.”
