Kier pioneers hydrogen fuel cell at construction site

Kier and AFC Energy are today  (20^th June)announcing a partnership that will see a clean Hydrogen power generator unit, utilising AFC Energy’s new Hybrid Fuel Cell technology, being deployed at a Kier construction site in the South West.

The zero-emission HFC generators will offset the power currently provided by diesel generators, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the Kier site.

The decision to lease AFC Energy’s system is driven not only by a desire to show immediate leadership in the decarbonisation of UK construction sites and improve air quality around urban construction sites but also as a consequence of rising and uncertain diesel costs with geopolitical events impacting fossil fuel prices across the world.

AFC Energy has agreed to source and supply Hydrogen to Kier on commercial terms with support provided to Kier to operate the system on a day-to-day basis.  The agreement also sets an opportunity for the two companies to explore a longer-term commercial partnership across multiple UK sites with the potential deployment of additional fuel cell systems in 2023.

This deployment of AFC Energy’s next-generation HFC system continues to highlight the growing and immediate need for construction and temporary power operators to displace diesel generators with zero-emission power systems as part of a portfolio approach to the industry’s decarbonisation.

Chris Lilley, health, Director at Kier Group, said, “This upcoming trial further demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and finding innovative solutions that will reduce our carbon footprint and help our clients and customers deliver against their targets too.”

Adam Bond, CEO at AFC Energy, said, “Contractors and plant hire businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse emissions and improve air quality; we are confident that our hydrogen fuel cells will play an important role in delivering a Net Zero UK construction industry.”