Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester (UCEGM) brings together five local authorities that have declared a “climate emergency” – Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, and Wigan. The aim of the project is to create a blueprint that can be replicated in other regions across the UK aiming for Net Zero carbon emissions.
The 3-year £17.2 million project – led by Energy Systems Catapult and part-funded with £8.6 million from the European Regional Development Fund – will capitalise on under-utilised council-owned sites and buildings, to develop:
10 Megawatts of solar PV and hydro-electric generation,
battery storage,
electric vehicle (EV) charging, and
smart energy management systems.
The projects planned include solar farms at Chamber House farm in Rochdale and Kenyon Way in Salford, three rooftop solar schemes in Stockport and a rooftop solar scheme at Makerfield Way in Wigan.
Energy Systems Catapult will focus on the development of innovative new business models to maximise the value from the electricity generated, for example by taking advantage of regulatory changes, or utilising flexibility between clean energy assets distributed across the city as part of Manchester’s emerging Local Energy Market.
“This project represents the opportunity to create a blueprint that is replicable and can help delivery of smarter cleaner local energy systems, minimise costs and carbon emissions” said Richard Halsey, Capabilities Director at Energy Systems Catapult. “It will deliver new renewable energy generation on under-utilised public land. It will incorporate energy storage and electric vehicle charging using digital systems to better align variable renewable generation to meet future local energy demands. Finally it will develop innovative business models that can unlock private sector investment and grow local businesses”.
Councillor Angeliki Stogia, Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport for Manchester City Council, added that Manchester has been bold in setting out its vision to become a carbon neutral city by 2038 but that this is not an easy target.
“As a Council we feel it is the right one, not only for our residents, but for the long term prosperity of Greater Manchester” Cllr Stogia said. “As set out in our Climate Change Action Plan 2020-25, the Council has committed to halving its emissions by 2025 and we will continue to play an active role in the Manchester Climate Change Partnership to address the urgent need to create a cleaner and greener Manchester.”
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