You Can't Steal Sunshine

Date: 09/05/22

Most companies in the construction industry have been hit by extra costs as a result of the new government ban on the use of red diesel on site. However, increased costs are just part of the problem. Increased fuel theft, resulting from the ban, is also adding to the challenges faced by the construction industry today. But what can you do to combat fuel theft from construction sites?

The red diesel ban

The red diesel ban came into force on 1st April 2022. It means that construction sites are no longer able to use the discounted fuel in site vehicles, or in plant and equipment, such as diesel generators to power site lighting. Red diesel enjoyed a rebate of 46.81p per litre, making it around 25% cheaper than standard ‘white’ diesel.

Red diesel contains a dye, making it clear that this is the rebated product. Domestic vehicles and the haulage industry and not allowed to use red diesel and so theft of fuel from sites was not a common occurrence before the ban came into force. Unfortunately, now that building site tanks hold the same fuel that drivers buy at the garage forecourt, these same sites have become an attractive target.

The perfect storm

Theft from construction sites is nothing new. Insurers Allianz Cornhill estimate that theft of plant and equipment costs the industry around £800million per year. But until now, fuel theft has not been a major problem. Unfortunately, the perfect storm of legislation and economic factors looks set to change that.

In addition to the new red diesel ban, the UK is experiencing the double whammy of surging inflation, currently running at 9% and expected to rise, combined with a fuel crisis that is pushing forecourt prices ever higher. With the continuing conflict in Ukraine, experts do not see things improving any time soon. Once again, this makes fuel tanks on construction sites a tempting target.

£11,000 worth of fuel was stolen in Scotland in February alone, and a recent report from North Wales Police stated that “we are seeing increases in the theft of heating oil and diesel from farms and construction sites across Wales”. And the situation is only going to get worse.

What can you do?

Faced with this new threat, construction sites up and down the country have been increasing security, but this is an expensive business. CCTV systems, sophisticated tank locks and physical security guards all cost money, and even then, no security system is perfect. A determined thief, or an organised gang, will always find a way around any new security system, however costly and complex it may be.

Here at Think Hire, we have a much simpler, more affordable solution to construction site diesel theft – and that is to not buy diesel for your site in the first place. They can’t steal what you don’t have.

Solar power generators

Using solar power generators, construction companies can power electric plant and vehicles, as well as site lighting and welfare units, without any need for diesel. Even with the reassuring back-up of our solar hybrid generators, the amount of fuel stored and used on site will be significantly smaller, and be a far less tempting target, than when you use diesel alone.

Steal my sunshine

Back in 2009, the one-hit-wonders Len sang that we can’t ‘Steal my sunshine’ and they were right. When you use solar power generators from Think Hire, no one can steal your fuel supply, because the sunshine is already free for everyone.

To find out more about how to combat fuel theft on construction sites by using solar power generators instead, talk to the team at Think Hire today. 

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