First Bus, Aberdeen

As part of First Bus’s commitment to a low-carbon fleet, this project, led by Cleaner Group, supports the transformation of a depot that will house up to 35 electric buses and coaches. The new electrical infrastructure includes both regulatory and privately owned interfaces.

A 2000kVA substation was installed, connecting to the grid via SP Energy Networks (DNO) and adopted by the MUA Group(IDNO). The EV charging system is owned and operated by First Bus, enabling efficient and sustainable fleet operations.

Background

This project was one of six depot electrification schemes delivered by First Bus as part of its nationwide shift to electric vehicles. The initiative supports the company’s goal to modernise operations, cut emissions, and achieve a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, with net zero operations by 2050. A key challenge was maintaining full depot functionality during construction essential for avoiding service disruption. To manage this, the site was designed for flexibility, allowing it to be cleared each evening so the fleet could be safely stored and dispatched overnight. This approach ensured smooth daily operations while enabling timely infrastructure upgrades.

Our Solution

Delivering construction within a live bus depot posed significant challenges, demanding a highly adaptive and meticulously programmed approach. Each day, work areas had to be handed back fully operational, allowing First Bus to continue overnight fleet dispatch without disruption.

This required dynamic site management and precise coordination to adjust construction zones in real time. Bespoke traffic management plans were also critical to maintaining safety, ensuring clear separation between live operations and construction activities. The engineering infrastructure consisted of several key electrical systems and components:

2000kVA Package Substation: Functioning as the primary power, this substation delivers medium-voltage supply to the low-voltage distribution network supporting the EV charging infrastructure.
3200A Low Voltage (LV) Panel Board and Enclosure: Serving as the main LV distribution assembly, this panel board facilitates the controlled and protected distribution of electrical power to downstream systems.
Heliox Power Unit Bays: Two purpose-built electrical zones were constructed to accommodate Heliox EV charging systems, providing high-capacity charging capabilities for a fleet of up to 35 electric buses and coaches.

This integrated electrical design enabled efficient project execution while ensuring electrical safety, system reliability, and uninterrupted depot operations.