HS2 announce first diesel-free construction site

Credit: HS2

HS2 Ltd has announced its first completely diesel-free site as the Canterbury Road Vent Shaft site in South Kilburn, where HS2’s civils contractor Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV) have introduced a range of diesel-free technologies and greener equipment.

HS2 Ltd previously announced that the project aims to be net-zero carbon from 2035, with the target of achieving its first diesel-free construction site in 2022, and all of its construction sites being diesel-free by 2029.

“HS2 is boosting transport across the UK, creating thousands of jobs and levelling up communities throughout the North and Midlands, all while leaving the environment better off than how we found it,” Andrew Stephenson, HS2 Minister, said. “This, the first of many diesel-free sites, is another example of how the country’s biggest infrastructure project not only delivers on its commitment to be Net Zero from 2035 but is a pioneer in leading the whole industry to cleaner, greener construction.”  

Innovations on this site include one of the UK’s first 160 tonne emissions-free fully electric crawler cranes; the use of biofuels (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) to power plant and machinery on site; an electric compressor; and access to mains power on a 100 per cent renewable energy tariff.

HS2’s Net Zero Carbon Plan sets out how HS2 will achieve new carbon reduction milestones, support the decarbonisation of the UK construction sector and reduce the carbon footprint of the programme. Other sites are set to follow suit, with innovations including retrofit technologies, biofuels, hydrogen and solar power helping to cut carbon across the whole of the route.

“HS2 is playing a major role in the decarbonisation of the construction industry, collaborating with the industry and our supply chain to accelerate innovation in low-carbon technologies,” Peter Miller, Environment Director for HS2, said. “Reducing emissions and improving air quality on HS2 construction sites is crucial for both the environment and surrounding communities.”

“We’re thrilled that Canterbury Road Vent Shaft has become the first diesel-free site on the HS2 project,” James Richardson, Managing Director of SCS JV, said. “We’re working hard with our supply chain to introduce renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable biofuels to help us remove diesel entirely from our sites by 2023.”

A video detailing the diesel-free Canterbury Road Vent Shaft site can be found below.