Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has opened the West Country’s first biogas filling station. in the West Country. The new facility will supply low-emission fuel for HGVs, and support growing efforts across the region to reduce pollution and improve air quality.
Demonstrating the ease and speed of filling up a gas tank, Liddell-Grainger helped fill up an HGV with natural gas with low emission liquefied biogas during the launch. Commenting on the new facility, he said, “We’re all for clean efficient energy here in the West Country and Bridgwater likes to be first. This new facility has the potential to save operators money and protect the planet too. Biogas may seem a curiosity today but it could soon become a significant contributor to healthier and cheaper freight transport.”
The new open-access filling station is located in Bridgwater, Junction 24 onf the M5. It is part of a national network of biogas stations being developed following demand from UK industry, and the introduction of a new European Directive. The facility, developed by supplier Gasrec, along with others across the UK allows HGV fleet operators to cut fuel and pollution costs by converting to dual-fuel or dedicated gas vehicles, and assists the government in improving air quality and meeting long term carbon reduction targets.
Rob Wood, Gasrec’s Chief Executive Officer, said,: “We are very pleased with the support we have already received from many of our existing customers operating in the South West. As news of the facility grows, I am confident many other businesses will see the benefit its location brings in extending the reach of gas powered HGVs in the region and through to Devon and Cornwall.”
The Bridgwater site is a pumped gas filling station, supplying Gasrec’s proprietary low emission Bio–LNG fuel. The facility has the capacity to supply up to 80 vehicles per day and will be expanded as demand increases.
Biofuels have been in the news a lot this week, following the afore-mentioned EU Directive, and the implementation of a new working group to advise government on reducing carbon emissions from road fuels.
