The College of Manchester has signed a landmark new deal that may see as much as 65% of its electrical energy demand equipped by way of a brand-new renewables venture.
In a serious transfer in the direction of attaining its 2038 zero carbon ambitions, the College has partnered with main UK clear power firm Enviromena to purchase electrical energy generated from its brand-new photo voltaic farm based mostly in Medebridge, Essex.
As soon as full, Medebridge Photo voltaic Farm will comprise 104,000 photo voltaic panels throughout 175 acres of low-grade agricultural land, the equal of round 70 soccer pitches.
The location may even create a major biodiversity internet acquire. With enhancements to the present hedgerows and planting of native grassland and wildflower meadow beneath and across the photo voltaic arrays, the positioning will encourage nesting alternatives for wildlife and improved habitat connectivity.
The contract that secures this funding, referred to as a Company Energy Buy Settlement (cPPA), commits the College to buy 80% of Medebridge’s whole annual technology capability (58 GWh) for the subsequent decade, lowering College carbon emissions by 12,000 t/co2 yearly – sufficient to energy 21,000 properties.
Lee Barlow, Finance & Administration Supervisor, and Challenge Lead at The College of Manchester, mentioned: “After practically three years of rigorous procurement and negotiations, we’re proud to announce this landmark settlement, which reinforces our dedication to sustainability while delivering finest worth to our college students and stakeholders, within the type of value certainty and provide stability.
“The journey has been marked by unprecedented challenges in the energy and renewables sector, first with the 2022 energy crisis, and later complicated by geopolitical events in Eastern Europe. Securing this 10-year cPPA despite such adversity is a huge accomplishment and holds special significance as we celebrate the University’s bicentennial year.”
Carly McLachlan, Professor Local weather and Vitality Coverage and Tutorial Lead for Carbon at The College of Manchester, added: “The really important thing for us in developing this relationship was that our commitment would add new renewable energy capacity to the UK electricity system. Through our long-term purchasing commitment, we have played a key role in bringing this development forward – maximising the positive impact of our purchasing power.”
This milestone achievement was made doable by way of the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary implementation staff from the College, complemented by the experience of its power dealer, Impressed PLC, and Eversheds Sutherland performing as exterior authorized counsel.
Enviromena develops, builds, owns and operates renewable power belongings and at the moment manages over 300MW of renewables initiatives. As well as, Enviromena is at the moment engaged on a 3GW+ pipeline of renewable power initiatives within the UK and Italy that may considerably decarbonise electrical energy networks, cut back emissions and assist the worldwide drive in the direction of internet zero.
Lee Adams, Enviromena’s Chief Business Officer, mentioned: “Enviromena is leading the charge towards a world powered by clean energy and our teams are delivering high volume projects that make a massive contribution to lowering carbon emissions. This significant partnership with The University of Manchester demonstrates the shared commitment between ourselves and an influential, large-scale organisation, which, at the time it celebrates its 200-year anniversary, is taking steps towards reducing its carbon footprint through the technologies of tomorrow for a cleaner future energy supply.”
Chris Marsh, Enviromena’s Chief Government Officer, added: “We’re delighted to partner with the University to support their zero carbon ambitions. In addition to reducing the University’s carbon emissions over the next 10 years, the site itself will benefit the local habitat over its useful life until mid-2060.”
Development of Medebridge commenced in April 2024, with energisation anticipated in autumn 2025.
The College has set bold objectives to scale back its environmental impression, in step with its core purpose of social accountability. In 2022 it ended investments in coal, oil and fuel and decreased the carbon depth of its investments by 37%.
All diploma programmes are kite-marked towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the College is rated high within the UK and Europe and second on this planet within the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings world efficiency desk (2023). Manchester additionally high within the UK and Europe and third on this planet within the impartial QS World University Sustainability Rankings (2024)
The Sustainable Futures analysis platform brings collectively the distinctive depth and breadth of internationally main analysis at The College of Manchester and builds on the College’s observe file of profitable interdisciplinary working, to supply built-in and actually sustainable options to pressing environmental challenges. This consists of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Changewhich helped create the College’s Zero Carbon Purpose.
