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Portsmouth’s Next Step to Net Zero Carbon
8 June 2021
Construction of the first carbon-neutral building at Portsmouth Naval Base has begun, a key feature of the objective to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from the base by 2040.
Construction of the first carbon-neutral building at Portsmouth Naval Base has begun, a key feature of the objective to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from the base by 2040.
The Queen Elizabeth Class Forward Logistics Centre (QLC) is the final piece of infrastructure to be built in support of the new QE class carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
This major upgrade to the base began in 2014 with an investment of £120m by the Ministry of Defence for a stream of developments including a combined heat and power plant, reconstruction of jetties and improvements to deep engineering facilities. Elements of this programme have since won three of Sanctuary magazine’s environmental care awards, and a carbon-neutral building demonstrates the base’s continued commitment to reducing its impact on the environment.
Naval Base Commander, Commodore JJ Bailey ADC, said: “This is just one of a number of low carbon initiatives taking place at Portsmouth Naval Base, including more electric vehicles, wind turbine installation, and building upgrades focussed on energy efficiency.
“It’s an exciting step towards Portsmouth achieving net-zero carbon at both a naval base and wider Defence level, and more locally in the context of the city.”
It’s an exciting step towards Portsmouth achieving net-zero carbon at both a naval base and wider Defence level, and more locally in the context of the city.
The QLC will be the most sustainable structure on the base, with over 750 solar panels producing an annual output of 256MWh, and with the potential to save up to 72 tonnes of carbon in the first year.
These solar panels will also decrease demand on the National Grid by using the generated energy for forklift charging points and internal LED lights.
Most importantly, the facility will have storage capacity for 2,500 pallets, enabling efficient logistics support for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales when either of the aircraft carriers are in port.
The QLC will be completed in early 2022 to support the upcoming programme for the aircraft carriers.