Certas Energy has launched its first new bunker facility in five years at Omega Business Park in Warrington, investing £1.2m in infrastructure designed to support the transport sector’s transition to lower-carbon fuels. The 24/7 site offers DERV, AdBlue and HVO, with plans for eHGV charging.
As the UK’s largest independent distributor of lubricants and fuel, Certas Energy continues to fuel progress across the transport sector. With a firm commitment to keeping fleets on the move, the company is taking a leading role in shaping the future of fuel distribution.
Understanding the critical importance of reliability and accessibility, Certas has built an extensive infrastructure to support businesses nationwide. The company sources products from all major UK refineries and leading suppliers, supported by a fleet of 900 tankers operating from 130 depots across the country.
In recent years, Certas has also focused on expanding its strategic network of refuelling stations, ensuring that drivers are never far from a reliable fuel source. This commitment was highlighted by the recent launch of a £1.2m state-of-the-art bunker site on the Omega Business Park in Warrington, the company’s first new facility in five years.
The addition of Omega brings Certas Energy’s total number of HVO bunker sites across the UK to 16, further strengthening its position as a key player in the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transport fuels.
Its strategic location near Junction 8 of the M62 bridges the gap between Certas Energy’s existing Port of Liverpool and Trafford Park bunkers, offering greater flexibility to logistics and haulage operators across the North West.
At 775 acres, Omega is the largest mixed use development site in the North West of England. Over the last 12 years over 7m sq ft of manufacturing and logistics space has been developed on the site. Occupiers include T J Morris, Evri, Iceland Foods, Haydock Commercial Vehicle, Asda and Royal Mail.
Mike Heaton, head of estate development at Certas Energy, said: “The location was chosen based on strong customer demand in the Warrington area, with around 14,000 HGVs and a further 21,000 LCVs passing Junction 8 in either direction each day. Its prime position makes refuelling easier, faster, and more secure for drivers across the region.”
The opening event was attended by industry representatives, including those from the RHA and local politicians, including the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Mo Hussain, and ward council member Cllr Stuart Mann.
The Mayor said: “A huge thank you to Bryan Main [MD of Certas Energy Mobility] and the team for choosing Warrington for this exciting development, and for their continued investment in our local area. Warrington continues to lead the way in innovation, enterprise and sustainability.”
Supporting local and national sustainability goals
Warrington Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2019/2020 set a clear ambition for reducing emissions. At the time, council carbon emissions stood at 6,556 tonnes, but figures for 2023/2024 show a reduction to 4,996 tonnes. In a statement, the council said: “We are making progress, but there is still a long way to go to reach our goal to be net-zero for our operations by 2030 and for the borough as a whole to achieve net zero by 2041.”
Developments such as the new Certas Energy Omega site align with this vision, delivering vital transport infrastructure while reflecting a responsible, low-emission approach to energy and logistics.
Independent research studies consistently rank Warrington as one of the UK’s top-performing cities for its strong economy, business resilience and growth of new economy firms at the forefront of technological innovation.
These efforts, supported by a clear corporate strategy and engagement with local partners and businesses, underscore Warrington’s commitment to building a sustainable and prosperous future.
Now fully operational, the Warrington bunker site represents a significant enhancement to the region’s transport network.
Heaton noted: “Opening the Omega site with the support of local politicians and transport representatives marks an important step forward in our strategy to expand and modernise our nationwide bunker network while also making lower-carbon fuels like HVO more accessible to UK fleets.”
Operating 24/7, the site features high-speed refuelling capabilities, dispensing at up to 120 litres per minute. The facility accepts a broad range of payment options, including the Certas Energy Fuel Card as well as Keyfuels, Morgan Fuels, DKV, UK Fuels and AS24 cards.
The Omega bunker incorporates four pumps offering DERV, AdBlue and HVO, with plans to introduce eHGV charging facilities in the future. Designed to accommodate up to four trucks refuelling simultaneously, the site is expected to serve around 100 trucks daily.
Comprehensive security features — including CCTV monitoring and anti-skimming technology — further enhance the site’s operational integrity. These measures provide drivers and fleet operators with confidence that their information and assets remain protected.
Members of the BCD Logistics team, who attended the launch, praised the new facility, saying: “This is a fantastic facility that strengthens the refuelling infrastructure across the M62 corridor, where many of our operations take place between Manchester and Liverpool.
“This site will play a valuable role in supporting our fleet’s efficiency and sustainability efforts. We’re especially pleased to see that HVO is available on-site. It’s encouraging to see companies investing in infrastructure that supports the haulage industry’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable fuels.”
The bunker’s flexible design also allows tank compartments to be reconfigured easily, ensuring capacity can shift in response to future demand for renewable fuels.
Heaton added: “This investment marks an important step in improving access to high-quality, lower-carbon fuels in the North West. With demand for HVO at the pump continuing to grow, availability at the Warrington bunker site will offer more consistent supply for logistics and haulage companies operating throughout the region.”
Accelerating the shift to renewable fuels
Certas Energy has identified HVO as a key part of its decarbonisation strategy. The company noted that more than 4,000 HGVs in the UK now run on renewable diesel, underlining HVO’s growing role in reducing emissions, particularly in sectors reliant on non-road mobile machinery (NRMM).
HVO, a renewable, biodegradable diesel alternative derived from used vegetable oils and other waste materials, can cut net carbon emissions by up to 90% and is fully compatible with existing diesel engines and fuelling systems.
According to a recent biofuels report by Quantum, roughly 700m litres of HVO was consumed in the UK in 2024, with demand growing year-on-year.
In the past year alone, Certas Energy has increased its sales of HVO by more than 60%.
In a clear demonstration of its commitment to sustainable energy solutions, Certas has significantly accelerated the growth of its renewable fuel infrastructure. This year alone the company has expanded its HVO storage and supply network by six new depots, bringing the total to 28 locations nationwide — with further rollouts planned.
Recent additions in this latest phase of expansion includes new facilities in Whitby, Fort William, Porthmadog, Braintree, and Sheffield, as well as the introduction of renewable diesel supply to new regions, including the Isle of Wight, where it will be stocked and available for the first time.
This strategic investment not only strengthens Certas Energy’s position as a leading distributor of renewable fuels in the UK but also broadens access for businesses seeking to reduce their carbon emissions. The company estimates that an additional one million litres of HVO will be integrated into its supply network to meet growing customer demand for sustainable energy options.
Alongside, Certas Energy will also increase the use of HVO within its own operating fleet by a further one million litres, supporting its wider decarbonisation strategy and reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint.
Richard Billington, MD (Energy Solutions) at Certas Energy, recently said: “I’m delighted to be confirming Certas Energy’s continued and long-term commitment to supporting UK businesses. Today’s announcement intends to reassure business operators and fleet managers that switching to high-quality renewable diesel has been made easier.
“Broadening reliable access will continue to be a central part of our investment strategy, and we look forward to introducing additional HVO renewable diesel to our customers, to help decarbonise even more localities.”
As the UK looks to realise its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Certas Energy recognises that cleaner, more sustainable fuels are no longer a distant goal, they’re an emerging reality. With deep industry expertise and a nationwide presence, Certas stands ready to help businesses transition to HVO, supporting the shift to lower carbon operations without compromising on operational uptime.
