Bouygues UK, a construction and property development company, has reached a significant sustainability milestone in the construction of building zone 1 of Canolfan, part of the Pentre Awel development in Wales.
The company has successfully achieved net-zero emissions during the 24-month build period, marking a major step forward in sustainable construction practices.
The achievement comes as a result of substantial reductions in emissions, waste, energy, and water consumption throughout the project.
Bouygues UK, in collaboration with its subcontractors and supply chain partners, has managed to cut direct emissions from on-site fuels by over 90 per cent and reduce waste production, energy, and water consumption by 10 per cent.
These efforts have led to savings of more than 450 tonnes of carbon emissions since the project’s inception.
Phillipe Bernard, Chair and CEO of Bouygues UK, commended the project team’s efforts, stating: “This achievement shows that sustainable construction can be achieved.
“We are very proud that due to the success achieved with the use of HVO at Pentre Awel, we are now mandating the use of sustainably-certified HVO at all our sites across the UK.”
Key sustainability initiatives implemented at the Pentre Awel site include:
- Use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a fuel source
- Sourcing of recycled and green materials
- Installation of solar-powered site offices, cameras, and cabins
- Implementation of an HVO-powered generator for backup power
- Targeting of 24 specific initiatives to reduce emissions, waste, and energy
The HVO fuel used by Bouygues UK is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification, ensuring a traceable and deforestation-free supply chain.
The company has partnered with suppliers such as Green4Wales, Watson Fuels, and New Era Energy to support this initiative.
Peter Sharpe, Project Director at Pentre Awel, expressed pride in the achievement, stating: “As well as building a state-of-the-art, top-quality facility, as a project team, we set our minds to reducing as much of our carbon emissions as possible.
“We set out a plan, and I’m so pleased to say that we have achieved it.”
This success at Pentre Awel has led Bouygues UK to commit to using HVO fuel across all of its UK construction sites, demonstrating the company’s dedication to sustainable construction practices.
The Pentre Awel development is a significant regeneration project in south-west Wales, integrating life science and business innovation, community healthcare, and modern leisure facilities.
This project is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal and represents a major investment in the region’s future.
This achievement by Bouygues UK sets a new standard for sustainable construction in the UK and showcases the potential for reducing carbon emissions in large-scale building projects.
