Sunbelt hybrids help Kier go green

30 November 2022

Kier Group has successfully trialled integrated hybrid power generation installations at some of its sites using equipment from Sunbelt Rentals. 

Following a trial of ten battery storage units (BSUs) on a number of sites, the construction and civil engineering firm has established a monthly saving per unit of seven tonnes of carbon, an overall reduction in generator run time of 59 per cent and a cost saving of more than £2,000 once the equipment hire costs are accounted for.

The initiative came about following Sunbelt Rentals’ acquisition of the specialist business Hybrid Hire Power (HPH) earlier this year.

The environmental benefits contribute to Kier’s targets laid out in its Building for a Sustainable World framework. To achieve net zero carbon, Kier has pledged to introduce new technologies and ways of working which reduce and eliminate carbon emissions from its business operations and reduce and rebalance carbon emissions from its value chain. 

This includes Kier’s target to have a 65 per cent reduction in business operations carbon by 2030.

Mark Bown, national account manager at Sunbelt Rentals said: “This BSU agreement between Sunbelt Rentals and Kier dovetails with our on-going strategic capital investment in clean energy solutions. It also allows us the scalability to be able to provide cost-savings for our customers while lowering noise and carbon emissions.”

Chris Lilley, Kier Group health, safety, well-being and sustainability director, said: “This is a positive step forward for us to achieve the commitments laid out in our Building for a Sustainable World framework. It will help us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in line with our pathway to net zero, outlined in our carbon reduction plan. Not only that, but it will allow us to significantly lower our fuel costs.” 

Photo: Sunbelt Rentals