Film London launches ‘the Grid Project’ to supply renewable energy to productions in the capital

A pilot scheme in Victoria Park, led by Film London, has been launched to allow film companies working on location to tap into a supply of renewable energy.

Traditionally, production companies would use diesel or petrol generators for energy supply but analysis by ARUP for Victoria Park estimated that during 2018, production generators consumed 64,082 litres of diesel and 1,656 litres of petrol. The estimated CO2 emitted by the generators was 169,556kg. 

(l to r) Adrian Wootton, (Film London and the British Film Commission) Shirley Rodrigues (Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy), Rob Huber (Universal Pictures International), Andy Harries (Left Bank Pictures)

The estimated annual particulate matter was 7.43kg and the estimated annual Nitrous Oxide produced from diesel and petrol was 2,393 kg.

Thanks to The Grid Project, production companies can now plug into electrical feeder pillars which will reduce CO2 emissions and air pollutants by 100% at point of use, as well as reducing noise pollution. The power cabinets can also be used during other events held in the park, reducing diesel generator usage from other industries.

The Victoria Park pilot has been co-delivered with Tower Hamlets Council and The Film Office, engineering consultant ARUP, UKPN, contractor Ingenious Power and bespoke power distribution pillar specialist Lucy Zodion. 100% renewable energy will be supplied by Ecotricity.

Funding has come from the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund supported through the London Economic Action Partnership; NBCUniversal; Interreg Europe’s Green Screen and the British Film Commission.

This project follows on from the publication of the Fuel Report in February, which set out ways to reduce air pollution & carbon emissions on film & TV productions.

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said:  ‘I am thrilled to launch the Grid Project today in Victoria Park. This is a never before done and innovative project in the UK, which we hope creates a template for future developments. We are fully committed to making our screen industries as sustainable as possible, and initiatives like the Grid Project are a brilliant way of guaranteeing lower levels of emissions and noise pollution..

Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: ‘As a designated Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), this project expresses our commitment to improving the quality of air for residents and visitors through the installation of renewable energy technology. I am pleased that our award-winning Victoria Park is piloting the project which will reduce the carbon emissions of filming.

‘The Grid Project is supported by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund and receives EU funding from Interreg Europe under the European Regional Development Fund, and NBCUniversal.’