Nixon Hire gets behind renewables

Nixon Hire is promoting the recent creation, in early 2019, of a Renewables Division with its ’20 by 20’ initiative.

The rental company has pledged to save the construction industry at least 20 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by the year 2020. It will do so by supplying 20 companies with its H₂O Solar Pod for one week free of charge.

The H₂O Solar Pod, which was highly commended in the Product of the Year category at this year’s European Rental Awards, was developed by manufacturer AJC Trailers in collaboration with Nixon Hire.

It combines solar panels with a back-up generator and a large water tank to provide the power and water needs of a construction site in one sustainable product. Fitted with AJC’s Ecosmart system, which transfers power between solar, battery and generator, the Solar Pod delivers a power output of 30kW.

A single unit is said to save 1 tonne of CO₂ emissions per week, and up to about £21,000 (€23,000) annually.

Nixon has ordered 60 Solar Pods for its new Renewables Division, which AJC is in the process of supplying in tranches of 20.

The Renewables Division is headed by Michael Robbins, who told IRN that contractors are under growing pressure to meet the environmental requirements of tenders.

“This is the fastest growing sector in hire at the present time. In the last few years we have seen blue chip companies mandating the use of various sustainable products and demanding that the supply chain follow this sustainable route,” he said.

Through the division, Nixon will offer a range of products that lower carbon emissions and promote cleaner air, as well as a range of electric and battery products where fossil fuels have been the norm.

Graham Nixon, Managing Director of Nixon Hire, told IRN, “We must evolve with the times, and it is important to make sure that sustainable options aren’t more expensive that traditional alternatives.”

He added that the firm intends to expand the division’s portfolio and it is about to start trialling electric excavators and dumpers.