CW Plant Hire invests in battery power

Charles Wilson (CW) Plant has bought more than 40 Instagrid battery power units in a move to help customers combat rising fuel prices and reduce carbon emissions. The company said the events sector is where demand is currently focused.

The rental company had trialled Instagrid’s 230V and 110V portable battery units at the suggestion of its supplier, Seddon Plant and Engineer, and the feedback was positive.

Paula Godfrey, systems and sales development trainer at CW Plant Hire, said the decision to invest had been an easy one; “Instagrid products make tools and equipment portable, are operationally quieter and more sustainable.

CW Plant Hire has invested in Instagrid battery power packs. (Image: CW Plant Hire)

“These benefits are reflected in the exceptional uptake we have already seen from our events customers, with some taking up to 10 Instagrid units to manage large power needs through the build and breakdown stages of event settings.”

CW Plant Hire said depending on size and output a 6kVA diesel generator costs broadly the same upfront as an Instagrid unit, while a 10kVA genset costs more; “Where a larger generator is needed only to cover the start-up load of tools and equipment, the Instagrid GO can be used instead.

“In addition, data from Instagrid demonstrates a typical recharge of their 2.1kWh portable power units costs on average 50p…from a mains power supply, providing long term efficiency and value.”

Benefits for events

The rental company said the portability of the battery packs was a benefit for the events sector, removing the need for cable runs and reducing delays on build and breakdown schedules.

Matt Silvester, Instagrid sales director for UK & Ireland, added; “Once you remove the need for wet fuel, refuelling trips, two-person generator moves, cable runs, extraction fans, plant nappies and spill kits the ROI on battery power is evident.”

Silvester said versatility was also a feature of its power packs; “A recent example is a customer that needed silent power for floor screeding with no mains supply and generators were ruled out.

“Instagrid powered both the lighting and equipment through the night with no delay, noise or emissions.”