AW Energy Launches Renewable-Powered EV Charging Hub, Cutting Costs by 50%

AW Energy has officially launched its new ultra-rapid charging station at Checkley Wood, near Leighton Buzzard, offering a significant reduction in charging costs for electric vehicle (EV) owners. The station is powered by renewable energy generated through wind turbines, allowing the company to offer ultra-rapid charging at just 39p per kWh—nearly 50% less than the industry average of 80p per kWh, according to Zap Map’s September Price Index.

The launch of this facility marks a major milestone in AW Energy’s efforts to bring sustainable, affordable, and reliable EV charging infrastructure to the UK. The Checkley Wood station is already open to the public, accommodating both electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and cars. Larger vehicles, including electric buses and commercial trucks, will be able to use the station by the end of the year.

A New Era for EV Charging

AW Energy’s Checkley Wood site is designed to serve both everyday EV drivers and fleet operators. The site features 14 Kempower ultra-rapid chargers, housed in extra-large charging bays measuring six by three meters. The size of the bays allows for easy access and charging for larger vehicles such as vans and minibuses.

The site is already being utilised by major fleet operators, including Amazon, Openreach, and DPD, whose electric vans regularly use the charging facilities. In addition to the public charging area, AW Energy is developing a commercial charging zone at the back of the site. This area, specifically designed for larger commercial electric vehicles such as buses and trucks, will initially feature four ultra-rapid chargers, with plans to expand to seven.

In a move designed to accommodate the needs of local public transport, the commercial charging zone will be launched in collaboration with the local bus service. The overnight charging infrastructure will ensure that the fleet of electric buses can be serviced efficiently, while the daytime charging capabilities will support the growing number of larger electric vehicles using the site.

Powering EVs with Wind Energy

One of the key factors behind AW Energy’s ability to offer such competitive charging rates is its commitment to renewable energy. The Checkley Wood site is powered by a 4.1 MW wind turbine, which currently generates electricity that is fed into the grid and then drawn back out to power the charging stations. By March 2024, however, AW Energy plans to install a “direct wire” load management system that will connect the wind turbine directly to the Kempower ultra-rapid chargers. This system will cover 90-95% of the site’s energy needs, significantly reducing reliance on the national grid and further lowering operational costs.

The company also plans to install battery storage systems, which will allow excess energy generated by the turbine to be stored for later use. This will ensure a steady supply of renewable energy during periods of high demand, as well as during times when the wind turbine is generating more power than is immediately needed.

John Fairlie, Managing Director of AW Energy, highlighted the benefits of integrating renewable energy into EV charging infrastructure. “We’ve worked collaboratively with Bedfordshire Council on this project and invested a significant amount. The local authority has been incredibly supportive, but it’s been a seven-year process to get to this point,” said Fairlie. “We’ll take what we’ve learned from this project, and the next locations will be much quicker as a result.”

A Sustainable Future for EV Charging

The Checkley Wood site represents the beginning of AW Energy’s larger plans to expand renewable-powered EV charging across the UK. The company has already secured approval for a second site in Bedfordshire, which will combine wind, solar, and battery storage to power its ultra-rapid chargers.

Fairlie also noted the increased support from the UK government for renewable energy projects. “The previous government’s planning rules around onshore wind made projects like this more difficult to implement, but the new government has set a target to double onshore wind capacity,” he said. “This change in policy will enable us to roll out more sites quickly, helping to meet the urgent need for more EV charging infrastructure.”

AW Energy’s plans don’t stop there. The company aims to develop a network of approximately 10 renewable-powered EV charging sites across the UK. While these future locations may feature smaller wind turbines, they will follow the same model of pairing renewable energy sources with direct wire systems to deliver affordable and sustainable EV charging.

The launch of the Checkley Wood station marks a significant step forward in making EV charging more accessible and affordable, especially for commercial operators. By harnessing the power of wind energy and cutting charging costs in half, AW Energy is not only addressing the growing demand for EV charging infrastructure but also contributing to the UK’s transition toward a greener and more sustainable future.

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