British Museum - Energy Centre Programme (ECP)

Infrastructure and Construction

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £182m
Published schedule: 01/04/2022 – 31/12/2029
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: Judith McNicol

What the project is for

The Energy Centre Programme is a programme of major infrastructure works that are designed to improve energy generation, rationalise services distribution, and provide improved resilience for the Bloomsbury estate. The project is a key enabler which will support ongoing asset and infrastructure renewal and the emerging aspirations of the Museum’s Masterplan. Some of the key elements of the project include – · Review of the Museum’s energy strategy and development of an energy transition plan · Development of a new primary services infrastructure strategy for the Bloomsbury estate · Design, construction and mobilisation of a new energy centre Delivery of a new low carbon, energy efficient heating and cooling system that helps pave the way to a net zero future.

Departmental delivery commentary

Compared to the financial year 24/25 Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at GREEN. The last review was conducted in October 2024, with the next review being due in October 2026. The Energy Centre Programme has generally been progressed over the last 12 months on schedule against the agreed programme and within budget. The two main building contracts were awarded on schedule and within budget in both instances.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained the same at 31/12/2029. This is primarily due to the following factors: The early stage enabling works projects have been completed within the agreed programme. Any delays that have been incurred to date on the construction of the East Road Building have been non-critical to the overall programme. The two main building contracts (SWEC Main Works and SWEC MEP) works are currently being progressed in line with scheduled completion dates in June 2029.

Cost

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Whole Life Cost at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) remained at £194m. This is primarily due to the following factors: Procurement of the two main building contracts within budget. Change managed within allocated risk allowances. No significant commercial claims from contractors Please note figures referenced in the narratives were entered as nominal and the system automatically converts them to Real Terms.

Benefits

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Benefits at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) remained at £350m. There has been no change to the original underlying assumptions at this stage, so there is no change to the calculated benefits.