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Xscape - Yorkshire

Xscape Yorkshire, located in Castleford, is a major leisure and retail destination with consistently high visitor volumes. To support the transition to electric mobility, a high-capacity EV charging hub was delivered on behalf of RAW Charging.

The project involved the end-to-end delivery of a scalable, high-performance charging facility, integrating ultra-rapid DC chargers and AC destination units, supported by a robust new grid connection and electrical infrastructure.

Scope of Work

High‑Power DC Charger Installation:

We installed four 150 kW DC chargers at The Willows Centre, creating a high‑power hub for rapid charging.

Electrical Systems Setup:

Delivered the LV distribution and wider electrical infrastructure for the charger installation, while coordinating the grid connection and stakeholder programme through testing, commissioning, and energisation readiness.

Civil Engineering Works:

Completed trenching and ducting works, constructed charger foundations and associated bases, and carried out full reinstatement to return the car park to a safe operational standard.
Testing, Commissioning and Handover:

Maintained safe working practices in a live retail environment, supported by clear documentation to enable compliance, smooth handover, and ongoing operations.

Key Features

Turnkey delivery with ICP coordination to support an efficient route to energisation - We managed the end-to-end delivery path, aligning civils, electrical, and the connection so the programme moved forward without gaps or handover delays.

Live-site construction approach designed to minimise disruption to day-to-day operations - Works were planned around site constraints, with a focus on maintaining safe access for the public and keeping the car park operational wherever possible. Traffic management, clear segregation, and tidy working practices supported a safe environment and a professional finish.

Clear sequencing between civils and electrical works - Civils were completed in a logical build sequence so the electrical team could follow efficiently, reducing rework and keeping the programme predictable. This structured approach supported smoother installation, testing, and final sign-off.

Outcomes

Willows Centre was delivered as a complete ultra-rapid EV charging installation, ready for operational commissioning and handover, improving access to reliable ultra-rapid charging for EV drivers while maintaining safe operations in a live retail car park environment. Delivery was managed through clear programme sequencing, supported by structured commissioning planning and stakeholder alignment to ensure energisation readiness. Throughout the project, works were delivered with a clear documentation trail to support compliance, handover, and ongoing operations.

Charger Specifications

Supply Capacity: A 476 kVA, 3‑phase, 400 V low‑voltage supply from the existing UKPN substation, sized to support three 150 kW DC chargers and one 50 kW DC charger operating at high utilisation.

Substation Interface & Metering: Two CT‑metered terminations feed customer kiosks at the substation boundary, providing accurate energy metering and a clear demarcation between DNO and customer assets.

LV Distribution: From the kiosks, LV feeders run through underground ducts to each charger location, with cable routes designed for efficient installation, protection and future maintainability.

Protection & Safety: Protective devices within the kiosks and distribution ensure safe fault clearance, discrimination with UKPN equipment, and compliance with relevant electrical standards for high‑power DC systems.

Monitoring & Future Expansion: The metered LV backbone and ducted routes give RAW Charging clear visibility of energy use today and a scalable platform for adding or upgrading chargers in future with minimal additional civil works.

Electrical Infrastructure

EV Charger Feeds: 3 × 150 kW EV charge points are each supplied via 70 mm² 4‑core cable with 35 mm² earth, and 1 × 50 kW EV charge point is supplied via 35 mm² 4‑core cable with 16 mm² earth. This ensures low voltage drop and robust capacity for sustained high‑power charging.

CT‑Metered Distribution: One feeder pillar supplies 2 × 150 kW EVCPs on a CT‑metered 276 kVA supply, while the second feeder pillar supplies 1 × 150 kW and 1 × 50 kW EVCP on a CT‑metered 200 kVA supply. This allows accurate metering and clear separation of site load.

DNO Upgrade & Coordination: To support the additional load, UKPN upgraded a local substation feeding the site. This work required a planned shutdown, coordinated with neighbouring businesses and scheduled on a Sunday to complete the works safely while keeping operational disruption to a minimum.

Earthing Arrangement: The full installation is designed on a TT earthing system, providing a dedicated earth path and ensuring compliance with site and DNO requirements.

Circuit Protection: The 150 kW chargers are protected by 400 A MCCBs, and the 50 kW charger by a 100 A MCCB, providing appropriate overcurrent protection matched to each load.

Advanced Protection & Monitoring: The installation uses 3 × 4‑pole NSX400N and 1 × 4‑pole NSX100N MCCBs, all fitted with Micrologic 2.3 units for overload and short‑circuit protection. Additionally, Type B earth‑leakage protection is provided via CTs and a dedicated relay mounted below the NSX400N MCCBs. On detection of an earth fault, the relay operates an MX shunt trip to open the MCCB, ensuring fast, selective disconnection and enhanced safety for users and equipment.