A ground-breaking ceremony took place on 2nd August, attended by Major General David Southall, Director DB&I, Brigadier Richard Brown, Head of Infra, and representatives from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Amey and its supply chain partners.
This ambitious project, funded by the Defence Innovation Fund, will see 10 double electric vehicle charging points and battery storage placed within a 40-space car park, providing charging capability for up to 20 Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs), the first of its kind to be delivered on the Army estate.
Known as Project Taurus, this pilot project aims to test and understand the potential of ULEVs and its impact on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions - as well as delivering significant cost reduction.
Over the next 12 months, Project Taurus will deliver similar solar carports and electric vehicle charging points at six further bases across the Army Estate, supporting the Defence’s ambition to move to a more sustainable future and the Army’s target of Net Zero by 2045. It will be completed in November 2021 for both individuals and the Army’s white fleet users.
Amey Secure Infrastructure Managing Director, Craig McGilvray, commented: “Project Taurus marks an important milestone in the Army’s journey to net zero. Amey is committed to working with all parties to share best practice and innovative solutions that will reduce energy demand and create significant cost savings across the Army estate. It provides the opportunity to showcase new energy efficient technology that will play a key part in enabling an innovative culture across all areas of Defence.”
Brigadier Richard Brown, Head of Infrastructure said: “Project Taurus is a great example of how the Army is constantly striving to improve its sustainable approach by reducing the amount of energy we use and exploiting ways to increase renewable supply. As well as providing power for our white fleet, the solar carport will encourage individuals to make the move to ULEV by providing convenient charging points at the workplace. The construction of the solar carport at Army HQ, sends a clear message about our commitment to both the Army’s strategic sustainability goals and those set by the Government to achieve Net Zero by 2050.”