Heidelberg Materials Launches Specialist Thermal Products for UK's Expanding Energy Infrastructure

New high-performance construction materials are designed to improve heat dissipation around underground power cables, supporting the growing demands of renewable energy, battery storage and data centre developments.

Heidelberg Materials UK has unveiled a new portfolio of specialist construction materials aimed at improving the performance and reliability of underground electricity networks as the UK's energy infrastructure continues to expand.

The new Power product range has been developed to address one of the key engineering challenges associated with high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage underground cable installations—managing the heat generated during electricity transmission.

The products are intended for use across a wide range of critical infrastructure projects, including data centres, battery energy storage systems, electricity substations, offshore wind connections and solar energy developments.

Designed to Improve Cable Performance

As electricity passes through underground cables, heat naturally builds up within the surrounding materials.

If this heat cannot dissipate efficiently, cable temperatures increase, electrical resistance rises and transmission efficiency can be reduced, potentially affecting long-term network performance.

Heidelberg says its new materials have been specifically engineered to maximise thermal conductivity, helping transfer heat away from buried cables more effectively while supporting the reliability of increasingly complex electricity networks.

Introducing the Power Range

At the centre of the new portfolio is PowerCrete, which Heidelberg describes as the UK's first concrete specifically developed to provide exceptionally high thermal conductivity for underground cable installations.

The company says the product delivers a thermal conductivity rating of 2.5 W/mK, which it believes is the highest currently available within the UK concrete market.

The wider range also includes:

• PowerSand CBS and PowerSand CBS Extra, cement-bound sand products manufactured to meet Energy Networks Association (ENA) TS 97-1 requirements for cable installation backfill.

• Specialist cable backfill materials.

• Gel bedding products.

• Heat-conducting grout designed to optimise thermal performance around buried infrastructure.

Together, the range offers engineers a complete suite of materials for constructing high-performance underground cable systems.

Supporting the UK's Energy Transition

The launch reflects growing investment in Britain's electricity transmission and distribution network as demand for renewable generation and electrification continues to rise.

With increasing numbers of offshore wind farms, battery storage facilities, electric vehicle infrastructure and large-scale data centres requiring new high-capacity power connections, efficient thermal management is becoming an increasingly important consideration in cable design.

Daniel Clayton, Technical Director for Concrete at Heidelberg Materials UK, said:

"Heat generation can be an issue with underground cabling. As the cable temperature rises, so does the resistance, leading to transmission loss.

"Effective thermal management is critical to the long-term reliability and resilience of the cable network, and we offer the highest performing, and most comprehensive range of products in the market."

Already Proven on Major Infrastructure Projects

Products within the Power range have already been used on several nationally significant infrastructure schemes.

These include works at Hinkley Point C, National Grid substations and the Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm, demonstrating their suitability for large-scale energy projects requiring robust and reliable underground cable installations.

Meeting Future Demand

As the UK continues investing billions in electricity transmission to support net zero ambitions, materials capable of improving cable efficiency and extending asset life are expected to play an increasingly important role.

By focusing on thermal performance alongside structural strength, Heidelberg Materials is positioning its new Power range to support the next generation of critical energy infrastructure, helping network operators build systems capable of meeting rising electricity demand while maintaining long-term resilience.