The contractor has linked-up with hydrogen power specialist AFC Energy to promote zero emission machines across construction.

The first AFC Energy H-Power hydrogen systems will be used on Mace sites in early 2022.

The move is part of Mace’s commitment to achieve a 10% year on year reduction in carbon emissions from its operations and to remove diesel generators from its sites by 2026.

The two companies will also work with plant hire firms and Government to promote the benefits of utilising hydrogen-based fuels to help the industry sustainably move away from diesel in construction.

Temporary power to sites is currently provided mainly through the hiring of on-site diesel gensets through plant hire businesses rather than contractors purchasing generators directly.

Mace and AFC are hoping their partnership will signal a market-based demand for alternative, sustainable on-site generation to plant hire businesses.

Adam Bond, Chief Executive Officer at AFC Energy, said: “A sustainable construction industry and the need for improved urban air quality is driving growing contractor interest in transitioning away from diesel generators in meeting today’s temporary power needs.

“AFC Energy’s zero emission, hydrogen fuelled power generator addresses this growing demand for cleaner power.

“Mace is leading the construction sector’s transition away from diesel to sustainable power generation and our partnership, the first of its kind in the UK, will highlight to Government and industry just how zero-emission technology can be adopted to significantly accelerate decarbonisation and meet Net Zero aspirations.”

Mark Reynolds, Mace’s Group Chief Executive, added: “One of our strategic priorities as an organisation is the pursuit of a sustainable world – and to make that a reality we know we must change how we power our construction sites.

“This partnership with AFC Energy will hopefully be a significant step on our journey to removing diesel from our projects – helping to reduce emissions, pollutants and noise.”