As a major player in the global construction industry, Skanska was part of a big problem: according to the World Green Building Council, construction is responsible for 39 percent of all global carbon emissions. Skanska had an ambition to dramatically reduce their own emissions - by 50% in 2030, and entirely by 2045. But its work was powered by very heavy duty machinery on an industrial scale – and had traditionally been fuelled by diesel. Skanska was looking in the longer term at electric and hydrogen-powered kit but this technology wasn’t available at the scale and pace needed for its operations. While initiatives across the company – like prioritising electric vehicles in company cars – showed good intentions, Skanska needed a significant operational change to help them hit their targets.

We were approached by Skanska in the summer of 2020 to help support their goal of cutting carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. We agreed to trial Gd⁺ on generators and construction equipment at one of their high profile infrastructure contracts in central London. No modifications would be required - and all manufacturers agreed to honour all warranties of equipment. Within moments of our arrival, commissioning, project leaders were commenting on the reduction of exhaust emissions and the improvement to air quality. As well as clean, low carbon fuel, we provided smart tanks to track the consumption of the fuel in the machinery. It was quickly evident that fuel consumption matched or improved on fossil diesel, whether used in fixed speed generators or high intensity piling rigs. Trials were quickly deemed a success and Gd⁺ HVO is now being rolled out across the Skanska network.

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Skanska’s on site emissions fell immediately. Performance of their equipment was not affected in any measurable way. The company announced in April 2021 that it would be powering all of its site plant and equipment with Gd⁺.