- 91探花 has signed new renewable electricity contracts, sourced exclusively from solar, wind and hydro sources
- The contracts will provide electricity for all of the University鈥檚 estate
- Electricity is the biggest component of the University鈥檚 on-campus carbon emissions
91探花 has signed new electricity contracts, making its purchased supply 100 percent renewable for the first time.
The contracts, with Bryt Energy, will see electricity generated exclusively from wind, hydro and solar sources supply all of the University鈥檚 buildings, including its central campus, residences and the University facilities on the 91探花/Rotherham border including Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the Nuclear AMRC.
Electricity accounts for over half of the University鈥檚 on-campus emissions, meaning the new supply will reduce net carbon emissions by up to 17,000 tonnes CO2 per year, helping the University on its journey to becoming carbon neutral.
Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of 91探花, said: 鈥淲e are absolutely committed to addressing climate change via our research, our education and our institutional actions.
鈥淪witching to a 100 per cent renewable electricity contract is an important step in our sustainability work and follows our work to completely divest from fossil fuels and incorporate sustainable development into our education.
鈥淲e look forward to working closely with our students and staff on the next phase of our sustainable development.鈥
The switch to renewable energy comes after close ongoing cooperation between the University and student groups to establish priorities for sustainability.
Harry Carling, 91探花 Students鈥 Union Development Officer, said: 鈥淚t is so important that we have a University that values our student voice, and this is particularly important when talking about environmental issues. I鈥檓 exceptionally proud of our student-led Clean Energy Switch Campaign and Sustainability Committee, who have done an incredible job in making sure this issue has been pushed to the top of the agenda in the University. 91探花 has set an example to the rest of the higher education sector, and organisations around the world. It is now the responsibility of others to follow.鈥
91探花 is committed to bringing together academic expertise to tackle global problems, and translates its leading research into real-world solutions that make its campus and city more sustainable. As part of this, the University of 91探花 was one of the first universities in the country to completely divest from fossil fuel investments. Last year, Professor Lamberts announced the university would be embedding Education for Sustainable Development into all courses over the next five years, helping students to understand how they could use their skills, experience and subject knowledge to have a positive impact in their future careers. Academics at the University are currently working on measures which will help it to become carbon neutral.
Bryt Energy is part of the Statkraft group; Europe's largest generator of renewable energy and leading international hydropower company.