A THIRD-GENERATION distribution company has invested in renewable energy to help it tackle increasing energy costs

Duncan Renewables installed the system across three roofs at AV Dawson’s Riverside Park site in Middlesbrough. .

The buildings are some of the tallest on the Teesport skyline standing at almost 50 metres.

The system will generate about 192,000kwh per year, will reduce overheads by approx £35,000 per year and provide a rate of return around 17 per cent, the installers said.

The energy produced each year would be enough energy to power 50 4-bed detached homes.

Phil Blair, a director at Duncan Renewables , said “AV Dawson is very much involved with the local community and its new solar PV installation has set the benchmark for other businesses in the region to make their mark and contribute to the reduction of the UK’s carbon emissions as well as make the significant energy savings that AV Dawson are experiencing.”

Gary Dawson, the managing director of AV Dawson Ltd, said: “As a business with over 75 years of experience in the freight transport market we have always had a keen eye on fuel costs, but now increasing energy charges have become a major cost to the business. We made a strategic decision to regain some degree of control of our electricity bills and through contacts in agricultural circles I became aware of Duncan Renewables.

"The combination of professionalism, price and a site visit to a significant installation led us to proceed with an installation on our fabrication halls where the majority of power is consumed.

"This scheme had particular challenges, not least because of the height of the roof, but also because fabrication was on-going in the space below.

"Duncan Renewables worked alongside our teams to ensure a safe and efficient installation. Their team also took care of all the registration paperwork and DNO connection leaving us to get on with running our business. In the first few weeks the installation had generated 46,000kWh. We have been blessed with sunny conditions and it’s very satisfying to think that we are taking full advantage.”

AV Dawson was founded in 1938 when Arthur "Vernie" Dawson paid £50 for horse Dina, her shoes and a cart to deliver coal. It is now one of the UK's leading distribution specialists over road, rail, land and sea.