North West power networks operator looking to become carbon neutral

EA Technology has committed itself to becoming one of the first carbon neutral businesses in the North West.

The company specialises in developing and implementing products and services to enable power networks to become safer, more reliable and cost effective.

As a result they have launched their own ‘Carbon Action Plan’.

The seven stage plan will help the Cheshire-headquartered company commit to its sustainability goals, including energy saving, more efficient heating systems and a low carbon vehicle policy.

The company is expecting to reduce its electricity usage from the National Grid and instead generate 40,000 kWh per year from its new solar panel installation, saving £6,500 in the first year.

Any excess electricity it produces will be diverted to battery storage, used to charge employees’ electric vehicles or fed back into its Capenhurst Technology Park site.

Installing LED lights will reduce annual electricity costs by £10,000, save over 300 kWh daily and slash the carbon dioxide equivalent from 20 tonnes to nine tonnes per year.

A range of further carbon saving initiatives will also be rolled out including installing free electric vehicle charging points on site to encourage staff to go green and looking at a number of cost effective, carbon minimising ways of heating the buildings, including ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and hybrid systems.

Robert Davis, the Chief Executive of EA Technology said: “Electric battery storage, electric vehicles and local generation of electricity through the likes of PV, turbines and biomass are changing the face of the energy landscape for ever.

“As a business, it is the perfect opportunity for us to become more self-sufficient in meeting our energy needs.

“Our Carbon Action Plan will give us a modern, integrated, low carbon footprint and we expect to see our emissions reduce year-on-year with immediate effect as well as delivering the company financial savings.”