Gridserve has announced a partnership Japanese manufacturer Hitachi to ‘revolutionise’ the UK’s approach to solar energy and electric vehicles (EV) infrastructure.
The partnership will see Gridserve develop hybrid solar farms in the UK in conjunction with a new network of solar-powered EV EV forecourts.
Hitachi Capital UK’s loan facility to Gridserve will facilitate projects including hybrid solar farms in Gloucestershire and Lincolnshire, and the soon-to-open electric forecourt close to Braintree, Essex, with space for 24 vehicles to charge simultaneously in 20-30 minutes at a rate of up to 350 kW from its superchargers.
100 more electric forecourts will be delivered over the next five years.
Similar to motorway service stations, there will be facilities including a coffee shop and supermarket on the site, and there will be an EV ‘education centre’, which will offer insight and information about the technology.
Gridserve will generate zero-carbon solar energy to supply the electric forecourt network, in combination with large battery storage systems to deal with the intermittent nature of solar power and meet the growing demand for sustainable energy.
Robert Gordon, CEO of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, said: ‘We’re delighted to form a pioneering partnership with an innovative and market leading sustainable energy business, which will revolutionise the UK’s motoring landscape and accelerate the transition to vehicle electrification.
‘The response to the current pandemic has highlighted the impact of carbon emissions on the environment. We now have a real opportunity, through flagship programmes like this, to create the infrastructure needed to fast-track electric vehicle adoption across the UK and meet the government’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050. Creating a greener, cleaner society.’
Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve Sustainable Energy said: ‘Our strategic partnership with Hitachi Capital marks a major milestone in Gridserve’s journey. As well as providing significant financial backing to accelerate our ability to deliver sustainable energy and meet net-zero carbon emission targets in the earliest possible timeframes, Hitachi Capital has an unrivalled wealth of experience, knowledge, resources, and expertise to support our collective success.’
Photo Credit – Gridserve