News Walthamstow

Walthamstow boasts London’s first ‘carbon zero’ fire station

The fire station in Forest Road no longer relies on gas and uses electricity from 100% renewable sources

Walthamstow Fire Station in Forest Road (credit: LFB)

Walthamstow Fire Station is now the first ever “carbon zero” fire station in London.

The fire station in Forest Road now has solar panels all over its roof to power its energy efficient lighting and, when there isn’t enough sun, relies on back-up electricity from 100% renewable sources. The building is also heated by a new electric heat pump, cutting out the need to rely on gas.

Last week, the London Fire Brigade welcomed London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Shirley Rodrigues, to tour the transformed station.

Thanks to £1.4million in funding from the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the LFB plans to replicate its success in Walthamstow at five more London stations by the end of next year.

The station’s roof is now covered in solar panels (credit: LFB)

Paul Cook, LFB’s strategy manager for carbon reduction, said: “We are really proud to have made Walthamstow Fire Station carbon net zero to support the Mayor of London’s net zero 2030 target.

“The project has not come without its challenges, but crucially, it has proven that we can reduce the Brigade’s dependency on gas.

“We see this as the first step in a long journey and we have another 102 fire stations to move this forward to, which we are planning for now.

“However, the trial at Walthamstow has enabled the Brigade to develop a comprehensive carbon net zero strategy which, with the funding to replicate these changes across the estate, means we can become carbon net zero by 2030, helping London to become a cleaner and greener city.”

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Shirley Rodrigues, said: “I was delighted to visit the capital’s first-ever carbon net zero fire station in Walthamstow. London Fire Brigade is leading the way with new green technology thanks to investment and continued support from the Mayor of London to help modernise and transform the Brigade.

“Our emergency services have an important role to play in helping our city achieve the Mayor’s target for London to be a net zero carbon city by 2030. By using renewable energy to power vital frontline services for Londoners and better protect our environment, we can make London a greener, safer, fairer and more sustainable city for all Londoners.”


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