FCC Environment and Hargreaves partner on EGL2

FCC Environment’s Darrington Quarries and the logistics company have joined forces to supply approximately 340,000 tonnes of stone for the Eastern Green Link 2 Wren Hall Converter Station.

BAM and Hitachi Energy are the principal contractors on this major UK infrastructure project, which will deliver enough clean electricity to power around two million homes via a 505km subsea cable connecting Scotland and England.

The project required aggregates that met rigorous, site-specific quality standards and strict delivery timelines.

To support sustainability, Hargreaves’ HGV fleet uses hydrotreated vegetable oil, a low-carbon biofuel, and the company installed fuelling infrastructure at its Great Heck depot.

This approach is expected to cut direct CO2 emissions by up to 90% and reduce other harmful emissions by around 80%.

EGL2 connects Peterhead in Aberdeenshire and Drax in North Yorkshire, and is the UK’s single largest electricity transmission project.

The project is being delivered by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission jointly, as part of a larger programme of upgrades for the UK’s electricity infrastructure.

AECOM advised National Grid on the project.

Permission was granted in 2023 for a converter station at Drax in Selby, with planning officers at the time saying of the project: “There is a clear need for the proposed development… while the proposal itself is not a renewable energy project, it provides for supporting infrastructure.

“The proposed development would enable green energy to be transported from where it is produced to where it is needed”.

Glyn Guthrie, Darrington Quarries General Manager, said: “My team operates four sites across Yorkshire supplying high quality aggregates to the construction industry and as an FCC environment Company, we have a commitment to be more sustainable across our business, so we are always looking for solutions.

“It was great to work with Hargreaves Logistics on this initiative allowing us to collaborate in transporting vital construction materials in a way that minimises the impact on the environment.”

Matthew Smith commercial director of Hargreaves Logistics, said: “We have been delighted to work in partnership with Darrington Quarries on this project, proving our capabilities to support significant infrastructure works with sustainable transport options.

“It has allowed us to place strategic fuelling infrastructure at our depot in Yorkshire, ensuring Darrington Quarries and Hargreaves Logistics are well positioned to support similar future projects.

“We have a clear path to improving our environmental practices and it is only achievable by collaborating with our key partners such as Darrington Quarries.

“Anything that minimise the impact of our operations on the environment is a positive step.”