The UK film and TV industry wants the power it uses on location to be clean by 2030. A plan to achieve this goal has been reviewed and validated by researchers in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Whenever a film or TV production leaves the studio, it usually relies on temporary power sources to keep the lights, cameras and action running. With many generators still using fossil fuels, this means there are significant opportunities to use more environmentally friendly technologies. 'As the leading organisation for sustainability in the UK screen industry, BAFTA albert realised it was time to act.

According to data from Accelerate 2025, also produced by BAFTA albert, in 2024 UK productions burned over three million litres of fossil fuel in generators, and more than half of all productions relied almost entirely on fossil fuels. The report asserts that the environmental and health impacts are undeniable, as is the influence the industry has over the transition to clean temporary power.

Our stakeholders needed assurance that our ambitious vision and recommendations were technically sound. Imperial Consultants' rigorous review of our roadmap and insightful perspectives gave us the confidence and credibility to set this target. April Sotomayor Head of Industry Sustainability, BAFTA albert

Hence the statement of intent signed by leading broadcasters and streamers this month, which says all temporary power should be clean by 2030. This commitment is backed by SPARK, a roadmap that outlines both the need for change and the way it can be achieved. The document was drawn up by the industry and validated by experts at Imperial, working independently through Imperial Consultants.

"Drawing on our experience across temporary power technological challenges and opportunities across multiple sectors, we ensured SPARK’s recommendations were both technically robust and practical in order to achieve the 2030 vision,” says Dr Salvador Acha Izquierdo, a specialist in energy systems and net zero strategies in the Department of Chemical Engineering. 

“This cross-sector perspective was critical in identifying solutions and best practice that can scale effectively within the UK production supply chain, enhanced by the key enablers identified in SPARK,” he went on.

“We chose Imperial Consultants for their unparalleled expertise and reputation in this field,” says April Sotomayor, Head of Industry Sustainability at BAFTA albert. “Our stakeholders needed assurance that our ambitious vision and recommendations were technically sound. Their rigorous review of our roadmap and insightful perspectives gave us the confidence and credibility to set this target.”

Phasing out, phasing in

The SPARK roadmap foresees a phase-out of fossil-fuels and stand-alone generator use before 2030, with a transition to hybrid generators and hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel, where necessary. The ultimate goal, however, is the phasing in of grid power, battery solutions and other clean technologies.

“This is a challenge because it needs the co-ordination of many moving parts, including the scaling of new technologies, the development of a skilled supply base and changes to the wider energy system, coupled with a digital strategy,” says Professor Nilay Shah, an expert in processing and sustainability in the department. “Lessons can also be learned from a similar strategy being adopted by the construction industry.”

The Imperial team built on their long experience of operational decarbonisation to review, critique and validate the strategy as well as suggest additional possibilities. Professor Nilay Shah Department of Chemical Engineering

The transition desired by the industry will be supported by three pillars of action. The first is reduction, cutting energy demand and emissions through efficient planning and equipment. The second is retooling, upgrading infrastructure and technology for clean power. Third is reskilling, equipping teams with knowledge and training to plan, budget and operate clean power solutions.

“The Imperial team built on their long experience of operational decarbonisation to review, critique and validate the strategy as well as suggest additional possibilities, balancing ambition with practical achievability and recognising the importance of continuity of operations,” says Professor Shah.   

“By making the transition to the clean solutions, as mapped out in the SPARK roadmap, the industry can reduce emissions, cut air pollution and create quieter, healthier sets without compromising creativity,” the companies behind the initiative say.

The statement of intent is co-signed by BAFTA albert, BBC, BBC Studios, BFI, Channel 4, Fremantle, ITV, ITV Studios, Netflix, Pact, Sky, UKTV and Universal International Studios. Further broadcasters, media and production companies, suppliers and others involved in the UK film and TV industry are expected to sign in due course.

"Applying our decarbonisation expertise to the film and TV industry has been a great experience,” says Dr Acha. “We look forward to SPARK having an important impact and being an example for others to follow."

“We were fortunate in that we have been working on several related challenges which allowed us to get up to speed quickly,” adds Professor Shah. “It’s also the case that the learnings from this project can be used elsewhere, for example in construction, sporting events, etc.”

Main image: Getty Images

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