London Luton Airport required an upgrade to the backup power system serving Gatehouse 5. The existing generator was outdated and no longer considered suitable for the site’s operational needs.

With wider construction and upgrade works already taking place around the gatehouse, the project provided an ideal opportunity to replace the ageing generator and improve the resilience of the site’s standby power provision.

The work was completed for W. Portsmouth Ltd, with P&I Group supporting the decommissioning, removal, installation and commissioning of the new generator system.

Gatehouse 5 plays an important role in the day-to-day operation of London Luton Airport. The existing generator was no longer fit for purpose, leaving the site exposed in the event of a mains power failure.

For an airport environment, any loss of power can create operational disruption, security concerns and additional pressure on site teams. The project also had to be delivered while construction works were ongoing, meaning coordination between contractors was essential.

The key challenge was to remove the existing generator, install the new set, connect it to the recently installed ATS and complete testing with minimal disruption to live airport operations.

P&I Group installed a new 88kVA canopy generator to provide Gatehouse 5 with a more reliable and robust backup power solution.

The original generator was lifted out of position with support from AR Banks, allowing the area to be prepared for the new generator installation. The new Kohler genset was then positioned, with cabling installed to connect the generator to the newly fitted ATS switch, which had already been installed by W. Portsmouth Ltd.

Throughout the project, P&I Group liaised with all parties involved to coordinate the final terminations, testing and commissioning. This helped ensure the works were completed safely, efficiently and with minimal interruption to site operations.

The full scope, including decommissioning and removal of the old generator, installation of the new set and commissioning, was completed within a three-day turnaround.

London Luton Airport now benefits from an upgraded standby power system at Gatehouse 5.

The new generator provides improved resilience in the event of a mains power failure, helping the site maintain critical operations and reduce the risk of disruption. The project was delivered successfully within a tight programme and coordinated around wider works taking place on site.