Leeds City Council Sign with Flogas to Power LNG Refuse Collection Vehicles

Leeds City Council, the second largest local authority in the UK, has signed a contract with Flogas Britain, the UK’s leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) provider, for the supply of LNG to power part of its fleet of refuse collection vehicles and commercial vehicles.

With almost 350,000 households in Leeds, the council collects 306,000 tonnes of rubbish from homes, household waste sorting sites and other recycling sites across the city each year. LNG reduces carbon emissions by approximately 30% compared to diesel, so the use of LNG forms an important part of the city’s response to having to introduce a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) by 2020.

Flogas delivers the LNG to a council owned and run filling station, where it is compressed to form liquid compressed natural gas (LCNG) before being used to fuel the vehicles.

In looking for an LNG supplier, Leeds City Council underwent a competitive tender process, with price and security of supply the most important requirements. Flogas was not only able to provide the best value pricing structure, but also guarantee a continuous supply, as it has the largest tanker and depot infrastructure in the country.

Commenting on the deal, Carl Snowden, Transport Manager, Leeds City Council, said: “With the requirement for a Clean Air Zone to be introduced in Leeds by 2020, it is important that we are leading the way in reducing emissions from our vehicles. Additionally, as a local authority, price and continuity of supply are incredibly important to us. Flogas ticked all our boxes and there was a smooth transition from our previous supplier. I would certainly recommend them to other public sector organisations.”

The good news for Leeds, and indeed other local authorities, especially those in the north of England and Scotland, is that the Flogas LNG infrastructure is poised to get even stronger, bringing with it even cheaper LNG.

At present, LNG enters the UK via the National Grid facility in Kent, south-east England and is then transported by road. However, Flogas recently announced a project to explore bringing LNG to the Port of Rosyth in Scotland.

This will reduce the cost of energy for homes and businesses located in the north of England who are not on the national gas network, and for organisations like Leeds City Council who use LNG for road transport. It will also enable more energy users to switch over to LNG from less environmentally friendly fuels like oil, and help reduce their carbon emissions.

Lee Gannon, Managing Director, Flogas Britain concluded: “As the UK’s leading LNG supplier, and one of the country’s foremost LPG suppliers, we have a great deal of experience in working with the public sector, and appreciate the unique challenges they often face.

“We’re delighted to be working with Leeds City Council and look forward to strengthening our relationship with them, and other local authorities, as we continue to revolutionise the LNG sector.”

“The Port of Rosyth project will be a game-changer for the industry. It will greatly increase LNG availability and security of supply for the north of England, and allow many more businesses in both the private and public sector to switch to a more environmentally friendly fuel.”