General Motors’ Astra production plant at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire has halved the amount of energy its uses needed to manufacturer each vehicle.

Total site consumption has also fallen by 30%, even though production volume has increased.

GM said it achieved the reduction with the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS), the UK’s independent benchmark for energy efficiency in industry. The EEAS is owned by the Carbon Trust and independently moderated by the Energy Institute.

In order to receive the accreditation, Ellesmere Port had to maintain and improve energy management and encourage their staff and local community to be energy aware.

Colin Hawthorne, site utilities manager at Ellesmere Port, will receive the energy efficiency accreditation certificate on behalf of Vauxhall Motors at an awards ceremony on July 19.