The responsibility for site power for V at the Chelmsford site this year fell to Power Logistics. And with 65,000 people coming to see over 50 acts playing on four stages in Hylands Park - plus the DJ and sponsored dance tents, catering vans and stalls, backstage hospitality areas, campsites and car parks, toilets and showers - power distribution can be a logistical nightmare.
The production team found itself fighting against the worst weather conditions anybody could remember since events began in Hylands Park in 1996. However, the Power Logistics crew (along with the rest of the production team) built the V Festival site in 10 days.
Power Logistics director Terry Hamilton, who ran a team of 11 staff throughout the build-up and the actual V Festival, comments: "The power requirements have increased once again this year, with more corporate hospitality areas, a larger camp-site and most of the stages and concessions increasing their power consumption."
That increased capacity meant that over 75,000 litres of fuel was used to power 73 generators, ranging from 15kVA to 200kVA, as well as seven twin packs on the stages, delivering between 250kVA and 1,000kVA for lighting, sound and video screens. The synchronized and parallel twin generators ensured effective and reliable provision of un-interrupted power to the critical areas of stages and broadcasters' mobile studios.
Claire Sampson, production manager at The V Festival Chelmsford site since its was established - has worked with Hamilton for a long time and explained: "I don't just hire Power Logistics for their in-depth knowledge of the site and in all areas of power, or for the workers' reliability, but also for the cheerful spirit Terry and his team bring along with them. Terry has developed a habit of poaching my best site-crew, but it's great to see my old employees doing well and advancing their skills by working for him. They have a great knowledge of the site before they even start, so they are perfect for the team and it works out for both of us amazingly well."
Other main contractors for V included: Neg Earth - lighting for all stages at both Chelmsford and Leeds sites; SSE - sound for stages one and two; Capital Sound - stages three and four at both sites; Acre Jean - drapes and scrims; Screenco - screens; XL Video - responsible for AV.
