Powering the Magic of One of the UK’s Largest Christmas Markets

Project Overview

Each winter, the heart of one of the UK’s largest cities transforms into a festive wonderland as its annual Christmas market returns. With over 100 stalls offering everything from food and drink to handcrafted gifts, the event attracts millions of visitors from early November through to Christmas Eve.

Behind the festive lights and atmosphere lies a major power challenge. During peak periods, the market consumes around 400 kWh of energy per day, making reliable and continuous power generation essential to its success.

Challenges

• The entire market operates on temporary power, supporting food stalls, refrigeration, lighting, rides, and entertainment – all requiring stable and uninterrupted electricity.
• Any power interruption could cause financial loss, health and safety risks, and reputational damage.
• Generator installation had to be completed before the city centre filled with commuters and shoppers, allowing only narrow overnight windows.
• Refuelling was restricted, as bulk fuel tanks were not permitted on-site and access during opening hours was impossible.

Our Solution

Central Power Services (CPS) was appointed to deliver a dependable, fully managed power solution. Having partnered with Central Power Services for several years, the organisers trusted our expertise in planning, logistics, and operational reliability.

Working overnight to avoid disruption, a Central Power Services engineering team arrived on-site at 4:00 a.m. on a late October morning with articulated and crane-mounted vehicles. Within two hours, five diesel generators were safely installed across key locations to power the entire market footprint.

By 6:30 a.m., installation was complete, allowing construction teams to continue seamlessly as the rest of the market took shape.

With bulk storage tanks prohibited, Central Power Services designed a tailored refuelling plan to ensure uninterrupted operation throughout the event. Each generator featured an integral bunded tank of up to 1,000 litres, providing enough capacity for a full day’s use even at peak demand.

Refuelling took place overnight once the market closed, supported by regular maintenance checks, 24/7 technical support, and backup units ready if required.

Outcome

The market operated smoothly from start to finish, with reliable and efficient power supplied across the entire site. Event organisers benefited from complete peace of mind, knowing that Central Power Services managed every aspect of power delivery and performance.

This dependable infrastructure helped ensure all visitors enjoyed a safe, successful, and truly magical festive experience.

Working in Partnership

The project’s success relied on close collaboration between Central Power Services, the event organisers, and local authorities. Detailed planning, precise timing, and continuous communication ensured that every phase – from installation to refuelling was delivered efficiently and without disruption.

This partnership-driven approach provided a robust, compliant, and seamless temporary power solution for one of the UK’s most iconic seasonal events.

Disclaimer

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of our clients, customer names and identifying details have been intentionally omitted or generalised in the case studies presented on this website. While the projects, outcomes, and solutions described are based on real engagements, certain details have been adapted to ensure client anonymity.

These case studies are designed to illustrate Central Power Services’ approach, capabilities, and impact across a range of industries. If you require further information about a specific project or would like to request a client reference, please contact us directly.

Case studies