Carillion’s energy services depot in Portsmouth will be the home to a hydrogen on-site trial.

The construction giant’s move towards more renewable fuels follows its purchase of Eaga plc, in April, which it has been rebranded Carillion Energy Services (CES).

CES employs around 4,500 people and operates across three main markets: carbon services where CES is a market leader in the provision of carbon savings to energy

Carillion itself, employs around 50,000 people and boosts revenue of about £5bn, and uses a transport fleet of around 10,000 vehicles which accounts for almost half of the company’s C02 emissions.

The company’s 2010 sustainability report lists carbon emissions as just over 112,000 tonnes for the UK, so the introduction of green fuelled vehicles would make a huge dent in Carillion’s overall footprint.

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt toured the site to see the trial in action and praised Carillion for trying out the idea.

The MP, dubbed one of Cameron’s cuties by the Daily Mail last year, said: “Relatively high energy users should lead by example and I am delighted this transport initiative is being delivered by a locally-based business.”

Carillion Energy Services operational director, Graham Tidball, said: “At Carillion our commitment to sustainability and managing our impact on the environment is embedded right across the business.

“As part of this we are determined to lead the way in offering serious low carbon transport solutions for our clients.”

Luke Walsh

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