Defence Online

RAF Awards GeoPura Flagship Contract for Off-Grid Green Energy Infrastructure

Land May 28, 2026

The Royal Air Force has awarded a landmark contract to clean energy specialist GeoPura to deliver a network of off-grid, zero-emission electric vehicle charging hubs across six operational sites – a programme that marks a significant strategic shift in how UK defence infrastructure is powered and a potential blueprint for the wider MOD estate.

GeoPura is acting as prime contractor, leading an integrated supply chain that combines three complementary technologies into a single self-sufficient microgrid architecture:

• Solar generation – delivered by Geo Green Power Ltd
• Hydrogen power – providing resilience when solar output is low, day or night
• Battery storage and EV charging infrastructure – delivered by Carbon Point Ltd

The result is a system engineered to maintain reliable power with no grid connection and no diesel generator – a capability that directly addresses one of defence’s most pressing vulnerabilities: energy security in contested or degraded infrastructure environments.

Delivery timeline and scope

The programme is already in execution. The first two systems are entering service in June 2026, with all six sites fully operational by end of October 2026. GeoPura will then deliver operations and support services over a three-year period – giving the supply chain a sustained, not just installation-phase, engagement.

This contract builds directly on GeoPura’s participation in the MOD’s Future Energy Trials in 2024, where the company demonstrated off-grid, zero-emission power systems across RAF, Royal Navy and Army sites. That trial-to-contract pathway is increasingly the model MOD is using to de-risk novel energy technologies before committing to operational deployment.

Why this matters for the defence supply chain

This programme is significant beyond its immediate scope. Group Captain Maurice Dixon of Air Command explicitly flagged that the hubs will provide “flexible surge power capacity for various operational needs, including grid reinforcement and deployment scenarios”  indicating these systems are being evaluated for roles well beyond EV charging.

For supply chain businesses, the architecture GeoPura has assembled points to a growing cluster of relevant capability areas:

• Renewable energy generation and integration
• Hydrogen production, storage and fuel cell systems
• Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
• EV charging infrastructure and smart energy management
• Microgrid design, installation and through-life support
• Transportable and modular power systems for expeditionary use

The initial six-site deployment is explicitly described as a scalable model for rollout across additional RAF and MOD sites — meaning this contract is likely the first of several rather than a standalone award.

GeoPura CEO Andrew Cunningham positioned the technology in operational terms: “By combining hydrogen, solar and battery technologies, we’re delivering clean, self-sufficient power that performs in demanding environments, while removing harmful emissions that affect both the environment and the people working on site.”

Social value and community commitments

The contract carries a strong social value dimension, including apprenticeships, university-led research partnerships and support for the Armed Forces community. GeoPura has also signed the Armed Forces Covenant coinciding with the award – a signal to MOD of long-term commitment to the defence sector.

For businesses in the clean energy, power systems and defence infrastructure sectors, GeoPura’s prime contractor model and the MOD’s stated intent to scale this programme represent a significant and growing pipeline. Early engagement with the GeoPura supply chain ecosystem is advisable ahead of future site rollouts.

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.