The University of Manchester has taken a significant stride towards its goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2038. Teaming up with Enviromena, the institution will purchase electricity from a new solar farm in Medebridge, Essex, securing up to 65% of its electricity requirements through this landmark agreement.
Solar Project Built on 175 Acres
In honour of its bicentennial anniversary, the University has partnered with Enviromena, a UK clean energy firm, to source electricity from its newly established solar farm in Medebridge, Essex. Once complete, the Medebridge Solar Farm will feature 104,000 solar panels across 175 acres of low-grade agricultural land. The project also includes initiatives to enhance biodiversity by improving hedgerows and creating native grassland and wildflower meadows.
Image: Collected
Under a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (cPPA), the University has committed to purchasing 80% of the solar farm’s total annual generation capacity for the next decade. According to the University’s website, this agreement is expected to cut carbon emissions by 12,000 t/co2 annually—enough to power 21,000 homes. This move highlights the institution’s dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Success Amidst Challenges
“We are pleased to announce this historic deal, which strengthens our commitment to sustainability while providing the best value to our students and stakeholders in the form of supply stability and pricing certainty,” said Lee Barlow, Finance & Administration Manager and Project Lead at The University of Manchester. He noted the agreement comes after nearly three years of rigorous procurement and negotiations.
Barlow acknowledged the challenges faced during the procurement process, including the 2022 energy crisis and geopolitical events in Eastern Europe. Despite these obstacles, securing the 10-year cPPA is a remarkable accomplishment, especially as the University celebrates its bicentennial year.
Carly McLachlan, Professor of Climate and Energy Policy and Academic Lead for Carbon at The University of Manchester, emphasized the importance of adding new renewable energy capacity to the UK electricity system. By making a long-term purchasing commitment, the university has played a pivotal role in advancing this development. “For us, the key factor in building this connection was that our promise would increase the amount of renewable energy available to the UK electricity grid,” McLachlan stated.
Towards Net Zero Emissions
This achievement is the result of close collaboration within the University’s team, aided by its energy broker, Inspired PLC, and external legal counsel from Eversheds Sutherland. The project’s developer, Enviromena, specializes in renewable energy asset management, maintaining a portfolio of over 300MW while developing projects exceeding 3GW in the UK and Italy to advance the transition to net zero emissions.
Lee Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Enviromena, underscored the company’s pivotal role in advancing clean energy initiatives and executing large-scale projects aimed at substantial carbon emissions reduction. He added that the collaboration with The University of Manchester signifies a shared dedication to embracing cutting-edge technologies for a sustainable energy future, particularly as the University marks its 200-year milestone.
Chris Marsh, Chief Executive Officer of Enviromena, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with the University to support its zero-carbon objectives. Beyond reducing the University’s carbon footprint, the Medebridge site is expected to positively impact the local ecosystem throughout its operational lifespan until the mid-2060s. Construction began in April 2024, with the farm scheduled to be energized by autumn 2025.
Driven by its fundamental value of social responsibility, The University of Manchester has set ambitious environmental targets, including the divestment from coal, oil, and gas in 2022. This proactive stance has resulted in a 37% reduction in the carbon intensity of its investment portfolio, reinforcing its broader commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.