Twenty jobs created by Virgin Media deal

The contract will see Upnorth Group, which provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning services, carry out power and cooling assessments across 700 Virgin Media sites in the UK.

The Gateshead firm, run by County Durham businessman Stewart Grierson, has been tasked with reducing the company's carbon footprint.

Mr Grierson said: "Winning a three year contract with Virgin Media is a significant win for Upnorth Group and will see us increase our workforce to 74 staff, which is good news in creating 20 quality jobs in such a challenging environment.

"Like many UK firms under the watchful eye of increasing energy use legislation, Virgin Media is keen to improve energy performance and make carbon reductions."

Upnorth Group will carry out assessments as to whether existing systems could deliver better performance or whether replacement of power and cooling systems would provide energy and CO2 improvements.

Mr Grierson added: "We have started by optimising four of its data centres in Knowsley, Merseyside.

"Here we use free indirect chilled water technology in which we elevate water temperatures and provide low ambient free cooling for more than 60per cent of the year.

"By installing this cooling technology, the company will see energy reduced by 70per cent and will benefit the client with an annual electric power savings of more than £100,000 per year for the sites in Knowsley alone."

The 20 new workers will work nationally across the Virgin Media sites.

Head of Virgin Media heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) facilities Martin Waite said: "Upnorth Group has worked very closely with us to help us understand the benefits of hot and cold aisle thermal containment.

"The group has put Virgin Media's data centre on a solid footing and have already saved the company a substantial financial amount.

"Knowing Upnorth Group is now part of the family for the next three years is a real bonus to the Virgin Media team."