Cemex has embarked on an innovative renewable energy project at the company’s new Alrewas Readymix Plant (Pyford Brook) in Staffordshire, UK. The scheme which uses a 90kWh battery, along with solar panels, expects to save 200 tonnes of CO2.

As part of Cemex’s company-wide climate action programme, ‘Future in Action’, the Alrewas site was equipped with a hybrid solar unit in a bid to significantly reduce its CO2 emissions, and operational costs.

The facility opened in 2023 without mains electricity, which means that, until recently, the site has been exclusively powered by diesel generators. Keen to reduce CO2 emissions and the reliance on fossil fuels, the Operational Excellence team were quickly able to reduce the night-time diesel generator usage by 68%, once the renewable power units were installed.

Steven Coles Operational Excellence Manager, West Europe Materials, commented: “Cemex is embracing all forms of new innovations and ideas in the quest to lower our carbon footprint. As our operations transition towards net zero, we are all enjoying the experience of designing and utilising new technology, with batteries and other forms of renewable energy.

“Cemex’s intensive training with the Renewables Institute has enabled us to skill up in this critical area. It is empowering in itself to have completed several renewable projects over the past year and to now have more exciting projects in the pipeline.”

Andy Spencer, VP for Corporate Affairs, Sustainability & ERM, added: “It is inspiring to witness our Future in Action programme sparking high levels of ingenuity and creativity within our workforce. The renewables installation at Alrewas is attractive in both payback and CO2 reduction, as well as being replicable across other operations that are not able to be connected to the electricity grid. The future here is bright!” 

As a result of the success at Alrewas, a second battery and solar unit installation is now planned at Cemex’s Hamer Warren quarry, in the New Forest, Hampshire. The same renewable energy technology will be utilised at Hamer Warren to reduce diesel consumption during the plant’s onsite pumping activities.