New Headquarters boost Army’s ‘green’ credentials

New Regimental Headquarters at Larkhill Garrison are reducing the environmental impact of the defence estate, thanks to their ability to generate ‘green’ electricity.

The two buildings were constructed by Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) to support the Army Basing Programme (ABP).

Under the ABP, which involves the withdrawal of troops from Germany and numerous Unit relocations within the UK, ADCW is building new and improved single living and working accommodation at several garrisons across Salisbury Plain Training Area and at Aldershot.  The infrastructure is being delivered under the 35-year Project Allenby/Connaught (PAC) contract held by Aspire Defence Limited with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

The pair of brand new two-storey Headquarters at the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill, will cater for up to 200 personnel from 32 & 47 Regiment RA and 74 Support Battery.  The buildings offer open plan, shared and cellular offices, conferencing facilities, mail rooms, beverage bays and stores, providing a modern, flexible work space for day-to-day operations on the Garrison.

In addition to improving soldiers’ working accommodation the new offices will have a positive environmental impact, thanks to the installation of over 300 photovoltaic (PV) roof panels, which will generate power for use in multiple buildings.

Ben Walters, Building Services Manager for ADCW, explained:

“Photovoltaics is a term which covers the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials; the panels being used for ABP are made from polycrystalline cells.”

“We installed 322 PV panels on the roof of one of the new buildings with an 86 kilowatt potential – this is maximum energy that can be produced by this array. The electricity generated will be used for running the building itself and any surplus is then metred back into the grid, where it is used for other assets on the garrison.”

PV installations are being maximised on suitable ABP assets to meet building regulation requirements for renewable energy sources.  In all, 10 buildings have been selected to produce the required PV across the entire construction programme.

The new offices have other ‘green credentials’ too, all of which will contribute to achievement of an ‘excellent’ rating under an MOD scheme called ‘DREAM’ (Defence Related Environmental Assessment Methodology).

These credentials include insulation that avoids the use of CFCs and HCFCs in its manufacture, and timber procured from independently certified sustainable sources, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme.

Richard Tindal, Project Director (Larkhill) ADCW, explained:

“Sustainability is at the heart of the PAC contract.  We are applying an environmentally considerate approach throughout the ABP programme, from initial design to the buildings themselves, to ensure we minimise the impact of construction works on the defence landscape.”

And the Regiments are delighted with their new offices.

Col 47 Regt RA, Lt Col Tony Neylan, said:

“The new HQ buildings bring together all elements 47 Regt RA (the Army TUAS Regiment) on one site. As a result of recent restructuring (A2020R), the Regiment is currently doubling in size and the new HQ buildings give the enlarged Regiment a permanent home with all elements collocated.  The modern working environment is a significant improvement on the previous infrastructure the Regiment occupied and fit for a Regiment operating cutting-edge equipment – we look forward to being located here for many years to come.”