A recent BBC News investigation has raised serious questions about hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and its sustainability credentials. While HVO is often promoted as a cleaner drop-in replacement for diesel, its environmental impact, from feedstock sourcing to tailpipe emissions, is under increasing scrutiny. The article, “The truth about the UK’s green fuel” (BBC News, April 2024), highlights mounting concerns around the use of virgin palm oil in HVO fuels marketed as ‘waste-based’ and sustainable. Key findings include:
- Multiple UK fuel companies admitting to selling HVO derived from palm oil or palm oil by-products.
- Ongoing imports of palm oil-based HVO into the UK and EU.
- A lack of transparency across the HVO supply chain.
- Warnings from campaigners and scientists that increased demand for HVO may drive deforestation and biodiversity loss.
UK HVO consumption surged from 8 million litres in 2019 to around 699 million litres in 2024. But these numbers rest on an assumption that most HVO is made from used cooking oil or palm oil waste. When that assumption doesn’t hold up, the case for HVO quickly unravels.
Why HVO doesn’t solve the power problem
Even if verified as waste-based, HVO still relies on combustion and still pollutes. Burning HVO produces nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, both of which are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health issues and cognitive decline. This is a critical concern in industries where generators are deployed close to people, such as construction sites, festivals, filming locations, and OB broadcast setups.
At GeoPura, we’ve replaced both diesel and HVO generators at sites across the UK. Our Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs) generate electricity with zero emissions at the point of use – no carbon, no NOx, no particulate matter and operate near-silently, improving both environmental and working conditions on site.
What makes HPUs different?
GeoPura’s HPUs use green hydrogen and fuel cell technology to deliver clean, consistent off-grid power. Each unit includes a built-in battery system that self-charges using hydrogen, allowing for efficient load balancing and seamless power delivery, even during high-demand periods. This uninterruptible supply is critical for sensitive operations like live broadcasts, remote construction activity, and EV charging hubs.
It’s a dependable alternative to traditional generators, available now and already in use with customers across the UK, including the BBC, National Grid, Balfour Beatty, the MoD, and Uniper. Our systems have powered everything from the live TV broadcast of the DP World Tour to net-zero construction sites and major public events.
Clean hydrogen made the right way
Our hydrogen is produced using electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, which is fully traceable. No fossil fuels. No palm oil. No emissions. It’s manufactured at scale in the UK and delivered directly to site, where it powers our HPUs via fuel cells, not combustion, to eliminate harmful pollutants entirely.
GeoPura has scaled up hydrogen production capacity to meet growing demand, building out a nationwide supply network that can support industries as they look to decarbonise.
Industry leadership means moving beyond combustion
Balfour Beatty set a clear standard back in 2022 when it publicly committed to not using HVO until robust and transparent sustainability assurances could be provided. This wasn’t just a cautious pause, it was a firm stance from one of the UK’s largest infrastructure firms, recognising that real climate leadership requires more than just box-ticking.
Rather than accepting green claims at face value, Balfour Beatty took proactive steps to reduce reliance on diesel altogether and shift towards proven zero-emission alternatives. That includes working with GeoPura to integrate hydrogen-powered solutions across several of their construction sites, replacing traditional generators and setting a blueprint for others in the sector to follow.
Others, including Latitude Festival followed suit, trialling hydrogen power to replace some of its HVO units in 2023, a move that delivered measurable carbon savings and improved air quality. They’re part of a growing number of organisations switching to zero-emission hydrogen power as a truly clean and scalable alternative to fossil fuel generation.
A better way forward
The BBC’s report shines a light on the contradictions behind ‘green diesel’. Palm oil has no place in a sustainable energy system. And any solution that continues to emit harmful pollutants shouldn’t be considered fit for purpose.
If your organisation is still relying on HVO generators, now is the time to reassess. Our hydrogen-powered technology is already delivering proven results in the field and it’s available today.
Talk to our team about replacing HVO with zero-emission hydrogen power that actually stands up to scrutiny.
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