Equans & NEPO showcase Zero Carbon futures at Newcastle event

Leading energy, services, and regeneration specialist Equans demonstrated its expertise in making Zero Carbon a reality as it hosted members of councils from across the North East at an event organised in conjunction with NEPO – the North East Procurement Organisation.

The event was held at the Newcastle Civic Centre, which is a shining example of how Equans can work with local authorities to decarbonise their property portfolios. In partnership with Newcastle City Council, Equans helped to bid for Public Sector Decarbonisation Funding and delivered extensive works to the building.

It is now using 80 per cent less gas after the fitting Solar PV and Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) to generate electricity, heating and hot water, and was showcased to attendees from local authorities as an example of what can be done to hit Net Zero targets through expert support.

As well as touring the building and seeing the technology in action, NEPO member representatives from Sunderland, Northumberland, Hartlepool, Durham, Middlesbrough, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Newcastle were given a presentation by Equans’ Director of Sustainability & Innovation, Tim Wood, and Operations Manager, Joe Logan.

The pair gave an overview of the company’s expertise from initial designs and funding applications, all the way through to delivering projects and providing specialist aftercare.

That was combined with a run through of different projects Equans has delivered across the North East – including innovative tower block degassing projects in West Denton, and fitting environmentally-friendly ASHPs at the Newcastle Theatre Royal – giving food for thought on how local authorities could tackle their own decarbonisation projects.

Jane Turner, construction category lead at NEPO, said: “This event has been a fantastic opportunity to discuss decarbonisation across the public sector, and particularly useful in finding out what challenges our members face when it comes to implementing decarbonisation, air source heat pumps and other retrofit measures.

Equans is a member of the NEPO233 framework, and the event also served as an opportunity to promote the company’s skills and track-record of successful carbon reduction programmes.

Tim Wood said: “Embarking on decarbonisation journeys can be a daunting task, with a variety of different routes to gain funding for projects and a rapidly diversifying range of technologies available to use – some of which suit specific buildings more than others.

“From feedback, it seems as though everyone left with a better idea of how to navigate the way forward with the support of NEPO and companies like ours and has hopefully given them more confidence to start accelerating their Net Zero targets. The Civic Centre is a prime example of how partnership working can bring considerable carbon reductions and it was great to go around and explain exactly why we did what we did.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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