Laing O’Rourke has acquired electric plant and vehicles for infrastructure projects in Australia.
The company said it was the first investment of its type in Australian construction. It aims to reach operational net zero by 2030.
Australia’s first two 250-tonne electric crawler cranes will arrive in early 2023, with the first going to a Western Australian infrastructure project.
Managed by Laing O’Rourke subsidiary Select Plant Australia, the two Liebherr LR 1250.1 lattice jib crawler cranes produce no emissions but do the same as their diesel-powered counterparts.
Laing O’Rourke will also deploy 10 electric telehandlers of the 2.5-tonne Manitou MT 625E variety.
Select Plant has already deployed electric plant to Australian sites, including 8.5-tonne SEA electric trucks, 3-tonne electric teletruks, electric plate compactors, lighting, and battery storage systems.
Rebecca Hanley, Laing O’Rourke’s Australia managing director, said: “Investment in this type of technology, along with our solar powered site compounds and other initiatives, means we can both deliver certainty for our clients and meet our commitments to the world around us.”
