Part of AMPS’ Mission & Strategy is to collaborate with our industry partners to see emergency power generating systems at the heart of protecting our critical infrastructure. An important part of this is advocating for proportionate and evidence-based emission standards that reflect the real-world use of emergency generators. That’s why we’ve joined forces with fellow industry bodies to submit a joint letter to the Greater London Authority (GLA), calling for a rethink of the future direction of London’s NRMM Emission Zone.
Together, AMPS, CPA, CEA and EIA represent more than 2,300 businesses across the construction equipment supply chain.
The letter recognises that London has led the way in cutting emissions from construction machinery. However, it argues that the policy has now reached a point of diminishing returns, and that the 2040 zero-tailpipe signal is premature while the infrastructure and frameworks to support it don’t yet exist.
For our members, the letter asks the GLA to simplify and clarify its exemption criteria for Stage V generators, as the technical criteria are currently unclear on the NRMM website. Compared with Stage IIIA sets, Stage V generators are more sensitive to low-load operation. While some sites can maintain sufficient load to avoid issues, spiky load profiles are common in construction, and extended periods of low load can quickly damage these generators, which can result in power failure. Battery storage can help with this issue, but battery availability and cost are potential barriers. It also urges London to make site power a key focus, citing a London Borough of Merton study that found hybrid power can cut generator run time by 85% and fuel use by 57%.
The signatories are calling for:
- Better engagement with industry
- More effective enforcement, focused on real-world compliance
- Less administrative burden
- Clearer exemption policy
- A focus on areas where environmental improvements are most cost-effective
- Recognition of a broader range of technologies and fuels
We want London to remain a leader, but the next phase must build on what can practically scale, not simply what looks ambitious on paper.
