As the rail industry strives to meet its net zero targets and to reduce costs we look at the difference eco-friendly lighting towers can make on site.
In the winter months, rail contractors across the country become more reliant on lighting towers. But with growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions at every level of the supply chain (Network Rail has committed to reaching net zero in England and Wales by 2050), are traditional diesel lighting towers fit for purpose?
Many contractors assume opting for eco-friendly alternatives will hit their bottom line – something they simply cannot afford in today’s economic climate. This is probably driven by reports that reaching net zero will cost $3.5 trillion each year.¹
But, in reality, the transition needn’t be hard on all areas of business. Modelling carried out by Cambridge Econometrics has demonstrated that tackling the cost of living while simultaneously accelerating the UK’s low-carbon transition would create “win-wins”². And our research shows that eco-friendly lighting towers deliver these mutually beneficial outcomes.
The industry is already taking note. In 2020, Network Rail outlined its plan to reduce direct emissions by, amongst other things, “looking for energy-efficient alternatives to some of the infrastructure that’s traditionally high consuming.” But how can such equipment – including lighting towers – help contractors to cut emissions?
The economic case for eco-friendly lighting towers
Traditional lighting units use large amounts of fuel across their lifecycle; indeed, lots of energy is required to transport, run and maintain them. The high costs associated with these units can hit rail contractors hard – an issue only exacerbated by rising fuel prices.
Switching to eco-friendly lighting towers presents an opportunity to save on fuel costs. This is because they require far less to run – and make the fuel they do use go a lot further.
Volumetric data from sites hiring our equipment has shown that every X-Eco HYBRID LITHIUM saves £108 per week in fuel costs – and £430 per month.
Switching is easier than you think
These figures clearly demonstrate the benefits of switching to innovative, eco-friendly lighting towers. But many contractors still assume that sourcing such equipment must be difficult.
Welfare Hire ensures it is simple to make the switch. With market-leading customer service, inclusive maintenance and support, and 99.1% perfect hires, we have helped countless contractors introduce eco-friendly lighting towers – and support the rail industry’s decarbonisation efforts.
1.https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/net-zero-cost-3-5-trillion-a-year/
2.https://www.corporateleadersgroup.com/files/clg_uk_the_best_of_both_worlds_policy_briefing_270622.pdfs[RC1]
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