Certas Energy accelerates HVO rollout with £1.5m bunker‑network upgrade as demand for alternative fuels surges

Certas Energy is ramping up its national HVO infrastructure with a £1.5 million (€1.76m) investment to redevelop five HGV refuelling bunkers over the next 12 months — a move that positions the company at the forefront of the UK’s transition to low‑carbon liquid fuels.

The programme has already begun with a £500,000 (€586,000) overhaul of the Alconbury bunker in Cambridgeshire, completed in May. The site is the first to receive a full upgrade of pumps, pipework, security systems and digital card‑reader technology, alongside a major expansion of alternative fuel capability.

Crucially, Alconbury is now Certas Energy’s 17th bunker to offer Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) — a milestone that underscores the rapid growth in demand for drop‑in renewable diesel across the UK’s haulage and logistics sectors. The company’s 30‑site network is steadily being re‑engineered to support operators seeking immediate, scalable carbon‑reduction options without replacing existing fleets.

Reopened to drivers on 14 May, the upgraded site now features eight high‑speed nozzles capable of dispensing up to 120 litres per minute, cutting dwell times and improving fleet efficiency. Diesel, AdBlue and compatibility with all major digital fuel cards — including Certas Energy’s own FuelTapp — ensure operators retain full flexibility while gaining access to lower‑carbon fuel choices.

The redevelopment also includes an £80,000 (€94,000) investment in a modernised drive‑through truck wash delivered in partnership with UK Truck Clean.

Mike Heaton, head of estate development at Certas Energy, said: “Investment in the existing bunker infrastructure is as important as expanding and building new sites. We want to make sure that every location we operate is equipped for the future, including the ability to offer new fuels, while keeping the refuelling process smooth, efficient and comfortable for HGV drivers on UK roads.”

Heaton added that modernising equipment, strengthening security and maximising uptime are central to preparing the network for the UK’s fuel‑transition period. Further upgrades to Alconbury — including a revamped shop and full Certas Energy rebrand — are scheduled for August 2026.

Alongside the bunker programme, Certas Energy is expanding its truckstop estate, adding two new sites in 2026. Each will replicate the award‑winning facilities and enhanced security standards pioneered at The Stop at The Hollies, with more locations expected to follow as the company builds a nationwide network ready for the shift to alternative fuels.