Gasrec: Balfour Beatty WorkPlace Becomes Bio-LNG Customer, UK

One of the largest facilities management companies in the UK has joined the growing list of big names filling up at one of bio-fuel operator Gasrec’s eco-friendly refuelling stations in North London.

Gasrec, Europe’s largest supplier of low-cost, low-carbon Bio-LNG has set up, run and maintained a facility at Camden Council’s York Way transport depot on behalf of the authority since 2009.

Now Balfour Beatty WorkPlace, the facilities management and business services company within the international infrastructure group, has become the latest forward-thinking company to send vehicles there to take on Bio-LNG. The company joins the John Lewis Partnership and Laing O’Rourke which also use the service.

Gasrec’s Bio-LNG is a blend of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid biomethane (LBM) – a natural, green source of renewable energy produced from organic matter such as household food waste.

Gasrec’s commercial projects manager, James Westcott, said: “Bio-LNG is a low-cost, low-carbon alternative to increasingly expensive regular fuel and we’re delighted to welcome Balfour Beatty Workplace as the latest major company to see the far-reaching benefits.

“The variety of organisations and vehicles using Camden Council’s refuelling station illustrates not only how adaptable our vehicle solutions are, but also how available and flexible our expanding refuelling network is proving to be.

“With big companies leading the way, we anticipate other businesses will follow. We’re very optimistic about London businesess’ move to more sustainable fuel using Camden Council’s facility.”

Among the vehicles served by the Camden refuelling station are the council’s own fleet (including the mayor’s dual fuel Saab), two John Lewis Partnership Mercedes Sprinters, and one VW Caddy from neighbouring Islington Council.

Balfour Beatty WorkPlace Procurement Manager for Camden and Islington, Marcia Thompson, said: “This contract is a collaborative effort between Camden Council, Gasrec, Balfour Beatty Fleet and Balfour Beatty WorkPlace. It aligns with Balfour Beatty’s Sustainability 2020 Vision & Roadmap Charter. We see sustainability as a collective responsibility and recognise that profitable markets, healthy communities and environmental limits are not competing interests, they are shared outcomes that closely align with one another.”

Balfour Beatty WorkPlace adds to Gasrec’s expanding national list of customers who are planning ahead by making use of Bio-LNG to cut costs and pollution, including B&Q, Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

The new contract with Balfour Beatty WorkPlace comes as Gasrec develops the UK’s first network of open-access Bio-LNG refuelling stations, set for completion in 2015. It opened the first of its eight facilities last month near Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) on the M1. Gasrec’s network promises ease of access for refuelling: each of the proposed locations is near motorway junctions, ensuring that 85 per cent of the UK’s HGV population is within four hours’ drive of a station.