The innovative collaboration has brought to life a pioneering EV charging station situated near AWGroup’s cutting-edge Checkley Wood onshore wind turbine. This state-of-the-art station features 14 high-speed EV charging points, specified by Vital EV, and operating at up to 1000v, with 900kW total charging capacity currently available, with the capability to increase the site’s operation to 1.6MW and able to deliver 300kW of charging power to a single connector.
The charging facility is designed not only for public use, but there is also a designated area for bus and heavy goods vehicle charging too, where the high-powered charging equipment will be of significant benefit.
Located adjacent to the A5 Trunk Road between Dunstable and Milton Keynes, the site is set to make a significant impact on sustainable transportation in the region.
Powering this initiative is the 4.1MW onshore wind turbine, which commenced generating electricity in January 2024. Displaying impressive dimensions with 56-meter-long blades and a total rotor diameter of 115 meters, this turbine has the capacity to produce over 10,150,000 kWh annually. This is ample to fulfil the annual electricity requirements of more than 2,800 homes or facilitate over 225,000 electric vehicle rapid charges per year, offering a rapid charge to a notable portion of the UK’s electric vehicle fleet.
AWEnergy’s forward-thinking approach is clearly evident in the direct wire technology which will be employed to supply power to the EV station directly from the wind turbine. This pioneering move marks a significant milestone for both the electric vehicle market and the renewables industry in the UK, as this technology is a UK first.
Vital EV Solutions were instrumental in bringing the project to life from the initial consultation phase, through to the specification, design, installation, and commissioning of the charging infrastructure selected to deliver the maximum available charging up-time, with high-quality Kempower equipment benefiting from Vital EV’s ‘Whole Life Solution’, ensuring the site will be serviced and maintained with industry-leading support from the UK’s leading DC charging specialists.
With investments exceeding £10m in its renewable energy infrastructure, AWGroup’s commitment to sustainable practices is further exemplified through the operation of two of England’s tallest onshore wind turbines, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in green energy solutions.
Alex Rae, Managing Director of Vital EV Solutions, expressed his pride in the collaboration and commitment from both organisations to deliver a highly successful project, commenting, “When AWEnergy approached us to provide them with a consultative approach to helping them design the solution to satisfy their requirements, we were delighted to work on the project which I believe is a fantastic innovation in the EV charging sector with the direct wire technology from the turbine. Vital EV have worked closely with AWEnergy to bring this sustainable EV charging hub online to serve the customers at the Checkley Wood site, and will continue to support the operations onsite with a comprehensive support and maintenance service.”
John Fairlie, the Managing Director of AWRenewables, emphasized the historic nature of this collaboration, stating, “The introduction of the UK’s inaugural electric vehicle charging station, harnessing on-site wind energy, represents a pivotal moment for both the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors. We have been proud to work with Vital EV throughout the process, and remain grateful for their experience, professionalism, and commitment to our vision. This historic investment underscores AWGroup’s unwavering dedication to delivering environmentally friendly, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions that are instrumental in the UK’s journey towards sustainability.”
