A pioneering renewable energy trial by Kier and the Environment Agency at the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier construction site in Somerset is showing encouraging early results, suggesting that solar power with green hydrogen backup could be a viable clean energy solution for remote construction projects.

Launched in January 2025, the 12-month minimum trial is testing whether this hybrid energy system can effectively power onsite welfare and office facilities where there is no access to mains electricity. The trial's performance between January and April 2025 reveals a total energy usage of 16,047 kWh — 6,588 kWh from solar panels, 9,171 kWh from green hydrogen fuel cells, and 287 kWh from backup batteries.

If this energy had been supplied using a conventional diesel generator, it is estimated the site would have consumed around 20,000 litres of diesel, resulting in roughly 53,000 kg of CO₂e emissions. That’s the equivalent of 195,000 miles driven in a diesel car or 350 one-way flights from London to Glasgow.

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The zero-emission-at-point-of-use system combines solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, and battery storage to deliver continuous renewable power, while also reducing site noise and eliminating fuel spill risks.

"This early trial is critical to help understand the technology. Through our Innovation Fund, we are supporting Kier’s trial at the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier scheme with its innovation pairing solar with a hydrogen fuel cell back up at this scale of deployment. This trial is a big step forward to help the Environment Agency realise our net zero goals and a sustainable future. Conducting trials like this will demonstrate the demand for hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, which is needed to help support the investment into the production and supply to the construction industry and other uses," said Jo Driffield, senior engineer within the Environment Agency Innovation Team.

Hannah McIlroy, communications and sustainability director for Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks, added: "It is great to see how we are working so closely together with our clients and the supply chain to explore ways to collectively reduce our carbon emissions. I know that colleagues in Kier and the wider construction industry are keen to discover how our sustainable energy trial is progressing and we are looking forward to sharing more."

Specialist support from TCP Group has helped fine-tune the system since the trial began, including the addition of another hydrogen fuel cell, use of air conditioning units, and integration of energy monitoring data into the site's internal communications. These steps aim to improve both operational performance and sustainability awareness across the site team.