Enviromena powers up InstaVolt’s Winchester EV superhub with on-site renewable energy

Industry leading clean energy solutions company Enviromena has been appointed to deliver on-site solar power to InstaVolt’s EV charging superhub in Winchester.

InstaVolt is the UK’s largest public EV rapid charging network and its new superhub at Three Maids Hill will be powered by 100% renewable energy. The superhub, which is just metres from the A34 junction close to the M3, will have 44 ultra-rapid chargers, and will include drive-through bays for towing vehicles, fully accessible charging bays, as well as an on-site café and children’s play area.

Providing on-site solar power to EV charging hubs, represents a significant first for both Enviromena and InstaVolt, demonstrating each company’s commitment to renewable energy, and the collaboration is bound by a shared commitment to providing cleaner power and more sustainable alternatives to the public.

The site will be powered by a ground-mounted solar array and a roof-mounted system installed onto the café building, to provide green electricity to power the project and will be supported by the installation of a utility scale energy storage system. Enviromena also has a long-term operations and maintenance agreement in place, to ensure optimum performance of the solar and oversee the interaction between the solar PV, the batteries and chargers which are being installed on site.

InstaVolt’s CEO Delvin Lane said: “Our choice of partners for this site were key, the Winchester superhub is a flagship site and we required advanced technologies that will deliver, and we knew that by working with Enviromena that we’d get just that.”

Enviromena manages, owns, operates and maintains over 300MW of renewable energy assets and has a further 3GW+ of renewable energy projects in the pipeline in the UK and Europe. The company completed its 25MWp solar farm at Three Maids Hill in 2022, which is adjacent to the EV charging superhub, and provides enough electricity to power 9,500 homes and avoid 6,800 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

“The Enviromena team know the area well, having worked alongside the residents and community groups in Winchester while we were building, and continue to manage the neighbouring solar farm. We’re really excited to be part of this upcoming project” said Lee Adams, Enviromena’s Chief Commercial Offer. “At Enviromena we’re always looking to push boundaries in terms of innovation and it’s great to partner up with InstaVolt – a company that is very much aligned with our own mission to lower carbon emissions through sustainable alternatives.

“The on-site solar provision means the power is right there, easily accessible and the battery energy storage system means that if the energy isn’t being used it can be stored. It’s win-win.”

Basingstoke-based InstaVolt is the UK’s largest rapid EV charging network, Delvin Lane added: “There are now more than 1,190,000 fully electric cars on UK roads and the Winchester site is the first of our new generation of superhubs that will serve the growing number of motorists who are choosing a greener future.

“This represents a major landmark for us and will be game-changing for EV drivers. Linking the South with the Midlands and beyond, the site will be a gateway to the Jurassic Coast and the South West for EV drivers who will be able to travel confidently in the knowledge that they can stop, enjoy a drink or a bite to eat, and get a fast and reliable charge.

“The new site will offer an enjoyable charging experience for drivers, with on-site amenities including food, drink and toilets. Families will be able to enjoy a break while the kids can stretch their legs in the play area. Everyone can recharge and be back on the road in no time.”

Work on the Winchester superhub began in June and is due to complete by spring 2025. The site is part of InstaVolt’s new phase of growth to deliver on its commitment to install 11,000 ultra rapid chargers in the UK and Ireland by 2030.