GF Tomlinson hybrid propulsion facility: design and delivery notes for engineers
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell
First reported on The Construction Index
30 Second Briefing
GF Tomlinson has completed a steel-frame Hybrid Propulsion Systems Building at the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus, delivering cryogenic-capable laboratories and environmental chambers for altitude and high-power testing of gaseous hybrid, ammonia and other green-fuel propulsion systems. The facility links directly to the adjacent megawatt-class Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC), uses high-performance acoustic doors, integrated PV panels and achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. Construction generated 50 apprentice weeks, diverted 100% of site waste from landfill, and placed 97% of project spend within 40 miles, with 99% SME engagement.
Technical Brief
- Steel-frame superstructure with metal cladding selected to match existing Jubilee Campus architectural language.
- High-performance acoustic doors engineered to control operational noise breakout from high‑power test cells.
- Project funding stack combines UKRPIF round seven, East Midlands Freeport, industry partners and university capital.
- Construction phase delivered 50 apprentice weeks plus placements for two local college students on site.
- Localised procurement strategy: 97% of spend within 40‑mile radius, with 99% of suppliers classed as SMEs.
- Zero site waste to landfill achieved; over 1,300 site travel miles completed using low‑emission vehicles.
Our Take
GF Tomlinson also appears in our database delivering the £20m Priory Centre redevelopment in Worksop, signalling that the contractor is building a niche in complex regeneration and institutional projects across the East Midlands rather than purely commercial work.
The 97% local spend within a 40-mile radius at the Hybrid Propulsion Systems Building aligns with UKRPIF’s regional growth aims and suggests the University of Nottingham–East Midlands Freeport cluster could become a significant anchor for low‑carbon skills and supply chains in the Midlands.
With 100% of site waste reportedly diverted from landfill and 99% SME engagement, this UK project sits at the high end of sustainability performance in our infrastructure coverage, and provides a benchmark for other university and research estates looking to embed circular-economy targets into capital works.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
