Shifting from fossil fuels to future-proof energy provision
Success Story: Manchester Metropolitan University
27% REDUCTION IN GAS CONSUMPTION
800 TONNES CO2e SAVED IN THE FIRST YEAR
Manchester Metropolitan – ranked the UK’s second most sustainable university in 2024 – is taking its next ambitious step with plans to decarbonise the Energy Centre on its Birley Fields campus.
The Birley Fields Energy Centre provides heating and electricity to various campus buildings and halls of residences.
Currently, the Energy Centre utilises gas-fired Combined Heat and Power (CHP), but it will now be transitioned to using electric heat pumps.
As well as aiding the shift to renewable energy sources, improving air quality and reducing the University’s reliance on fossil fuels, the upgrade will also improve resilience by delivering more reliable and secure heating and hot water across campus.
Once complete by the end of 2024, the project will cut university-wide gas use by 27%, delivering an estimated carbon saving of 800 tonnes in its first year.
Manchester Metropolitan has been a top three ranked university in the prestigious People & Planet University League Table for the last 11 years in a row.
“Sustainability is core to all that we do at Manchester Met. The decarbonisation of our Energy Centre is a major step towards our carbon reduction goals and demonstrates our ambition to our students, staff, and the wider community.
“These works serve as a testament to the growing global movement to combat climate change and underscore the vital role that educational institutions play in leading the way towards a more environmentally responsible future.”
Damion Shaw, Assistant Director for Facilities Management and Sustainability at Manchester Metropolitan University