Construcciones Yamaro: Opt Hire powers low-carbon construction with sustainable solutions
Opt Hire is replacing the constant churn of diesel with technology that works harder and emits less, lifting the load without adding to it.
There is no smoke, but the pressure is rising. Construction site emissions often go unnoticed, from diesel generators humming in the background to light towers left burning at dawn. It is a familiar hum, but one that is starting to grate. As contractors face mounting pressure to build cleaner, Opt Hire is stepping in with kit built for the shift.
With a growing fleet of hybrid generators, solar-charged battery systems and low-emission lighting, Opt Hire is helping contractors drive down emissions without stalling productivity. For business unit manager David Ewan, the real question is whether the industry can move beyond intention and drive change.
“When we talk about emissions on construction sites, we’re often referring to equipment like generators, lighting towers and other machinery that rely on petrol or diesel engines,” says Ewan. “These can run for 12 to 24 hours a day, producing substantial carbon emissions.”
Opt Hire’s hybrid systems blend diesel with battery and solar. The generator runs only when needed, usually for a few hours a day, while the battery carries the rest.
“By switching from a standard diesel generator to one of our hybrid systems, clients can reduce fuel costs by around 30 per cent,” says Ewan. “In terms of emissions, we usually see a reduction of between 15 and 40 per cent, depending on the site and usage.”
The hybrid advantage
The benefits of hybrid systems extend to reducing mechanical wear, easing the maintenance load and cutting back the constant stream of service vehicles. In turn, sites become safer and simpler to manage.
“Our hybrid lighting towers consistently reduce fuel use by up to 40 per cent,” says Ewan. “Because the engines aren’t running as often, they need less servicing – about a third fewer visits compared to traditional units – meaning fewer vehicle trips, less disruption and more efficient sites.”
On major infrastructure jobs like a road upgrade in Melbourne, those efficiencies are stacking up. Opt Hire has supplied two large hybrid generators to power one of the builder’s compounds and is tracking live performance data to back it up.
“So far, the results show approximately 36 per cent in fuel savings compared to conventional diesel generators of the same size,” says Ewan. “It’s a strong example of how hybrid systems can deliver tangible benefits on major construction projects.”
Tools that hold their own
Opt Hire’s equipment is designed for hard use, long hours and low impact. Its battery energy storage systems, known as BESS units, are charged via mains power – often from renewable sources – and used to deliver consistent, emissions-free output without the need for a constantly running generator.
Lighting towers, once synonymous with noise, fuel waste and frequent refuelling, now stretch further on battery alone. They are especially effective on roadside projects, where safety is paramount and run-time is non-negotiable.
“Between power and lighting, we focus on providing hybrid solutions that offer the most practical and sustainable alternatives for reducing emissions on site,” says Ewan.
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Where demand is headed
Contractors are not waiting for regulation. They are reading the metrics, checking the margins and opting for change.
“Our standard diesel generators typically run at around 65 to 70 per cent utilisation, while our hybrid generators are operating at 99 per cent utilisation,” says Ewan. “We receive enquiries for hybrid units every week, from both new and existing clients.”
Hydrogen may be on the horizon, but battery, solar and hybrid are holding the line.
“There’s growing interest in hydrogen, but we still need to test in real-world scenarios,” says Ewan. “It offers emission-free operation at the point of use but still requires on-site management of hydrogen cylinder stocks. There are cost and logistical barriers that need to be addressed before it’s viable at scale.”
Until then, Opt Hire’s equipment is doing the heavy lifting by reducing refuelling, preventing breakdowns and keeping construction sites on track.
Backing every build
Opt Hire’s three business pillars – Support, Sustainability and Innovation – are interlinked and lived daily.
“Support is always our starting point. It extends beyond our clients to include suppliers, stakeholders and our own team,” says Ewan.
“We have a strong internal culture of helping one another, which translates into how we work externally. We are not just supplying equipment. We are supporting clients throughout their project journey, especially when it involves adopting new technologies.”
Sustainability has evolved naturally from Opt Hire’s innovation work.
“By adopting new technologies early, particularly in hybrid lighting towers, we found ourselves leading in this space,” says Ewan. “That eventually extended to hybrid generators and battery systems. Now, sustainability is embedded in what we do.”
Even the rental model promotes sustainability by enabling shared use of equipment like lighting towers and hybrid generators, reducing the need for large fleet purchases and minimising waste.
Innovation remains central to the business, evident in the way equipment is developed, tested and deployed. A dedicated product specialist reviews every asset and system, always pushing for operational and environmental improvements.
What’s next
One of Opt Hire’s next steps involves looking inward. Rather than start from scratch, the team is exploring how to retrofit its diesel fleet.
“It’s a more holistic approach, repurposing what we already have rather than adding to the carbon footprint,” says Ewan.
The aim is to match the performance of new hybrid units by upgrading what is already in the yard at a cost that makes adoption easier. Trials are already in motion.
As the equipment evolves, the insight deepens. Opt Hire is developing a single platform to show clients how its hired assets are performing in real time.
“Currently, telematics systems can vary between assets and suppliers, so a single site might run multiple platforms at once,” says Ewan. “We are working towards a unified system that allows clients to log in and see live performance data across all their hired assets.”
The numbers speak for themselves, showing how much fuel is saved, how many hours engines sit idle and where change is actually happening on site.
Shared wins
Opt Hire does not guard its gains. It works with reputable distributors and manufactures like Makinex, PR Power and APS Power, using client feedback to improve equipment design. Those changes often flow beyond their own fleet.
“We choose our partners based not just on the quality of their equipment, but also on the level of support they offer and how receptive they are to feedback. If those changes end up benefiting other hire companies as well, that is a win for the broader industry,” says Ewan.
“Partnerships are really important to us. While many companies refer to subcontractors or suppliers, we prefer to call them partners. Whether it is a strategic alliance or a more informal working relationship, we see every stakeholder as part of a shared effort to improve how the industry operates.”
In the push for lower-emission construction, Opt Hire’s fleet is already at work. The company’s solutions cut fuel use, reduce disruption and keep sites running clean.
The post Opt Hire powers low-carbon construction with sustainable solutions appeared first on Inside Construction.
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