HS2 has trialled solar and hydrogen powered welfare cabins across its work locations run by enabling and main works civils joint ventures CSjv (Costain, Skanska) and SCSjv (Skanska Costain STRABAG) including Camden, West Ruislip and Uxbridge.

The EasyCabin EcoSmart ZERO product is the world's first solar and hydrogen powered welfare unit, combining solar and hydrogen power to eliminate carbon emissions from construction sites, and is set to be rolled out further across the HS2 project.

Data gathered from 16 Ecosmart ZERO cabins over a 21 week period on HS2 sites in Camden, Ruislip and Uxbridge showed that 112 tonnes of carbon were saved.

On Thursday 24 September, HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson visited HS2’s construction site at West Ruislip to see the solar cabins in situ. At this site a haul road is being constructed to link to the portal of the Northolt Tunnel West where two Tunnel Boring Machines will be launched in 2022.

Minister Stephenson said: "As we build back better from Covid-19, it is great to see how HS2 Ltd is using first class solar and hydrogen powered staff welfare pods to cut carbon emissions while supporting workers on its construction sites.


"Not only are these British-made pods supporting hundreds of jobs, but it is a great example of how HS2 is realising our ambition to be one of the most environmentally-responsible projects ever delivered in the UK, as we transition to carbon net zero by 2050."

The hydrogen technology has been developed by scientists at Loughborough University. With zero emissions, solar and hydrogen power replaces traditional diesel power systems and reduces the overall carbon footprint of a construction site, and more importantly, improves the environment for communities in the vicinity of operation. The unit is near silent, and emits only pure water vapour.

The cabins provide a kitchen, seating area, separate toilet and changing room for workers, with the power to run the heating, sockets, kettle and microwave coming instantly from the battery bank which is constantly fed by the built-in hydrogen fuel cell and solar panels.

GAP Group and AJC are part of the wider HS2 supply chain which includes over 2,000 companies – 99% based in the UK, creating thousands of jobs for British people. GAP Group has experienced significant growth in recent years, enabling the company to offer a wide range of career opportunities, along with apprenticeship and graduate schemes, and local partnership networks including educational, employability and government initiatives such as ‘Developing the Young Workforce’.

AJC Trailers Limited has been manufacturing trailers in the UK since 1964. For the past eighteen years, the company has focused their activities on designing and producing hybrid, sustainable welfare and power solutions for the construction sector under the EasyCabin brand. AJC Trailers Ltd employs 60 people in its manufacturing facility in Luton, Bedfordshire.

GAP Group have other award winning AJC products on their hire fleet, which are also currently being used to cut emissions on HS2 sites. These include the Solar Pod - a hybrid solar generator to supply remote sites with sustainable power, and the SolarLight ZERO - a highly efficient and powerful LED lighting tower, powered only by solar panels.