Renewable energy

In October 2019, we changed our electricity supply to 100% renewable energy. Electricity for our operational substations and most of our offices and depots is generated from a mix of wind and hydro, which saved 5,492 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in the first 12 months.

But our aim is to achieve net zero carbon by transforming our estate to be as energy efficient as possible, and to use a combination of on-site and off-site generation to meet our energy demand.

Starting with two depots, our training academy in Blackburn and our depot in Oldham, we are testing and demonstrating a number of solutions to assess their suitability and relative benefits.

These include ground-mounted solar panels; car port solar panels; upgraded insulation, windows and ventilation; air source or ground source heat pumps; new radiators and LED lighting.

We have installed a hybrid roof-mounted solar PV system at our Blackburn depot at multiple locations, which together generate around 39,260 kWh of electricity and avoid 7.6 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent a year.

Our plan is to continue with our solar installation at Blackburn and the nearby training academy to include three additional roof-mounted systems and solar car ports which will make the training academy site net zero. Once complete we expect to generate 124,663kWh of electricity a year which will avoid 24.1 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

We have also installed 128 ground-mounted solar panels at our Thorley Lane primary substation at the south Manchester enterprise zone, the first self-sufficient low carbon substation in the North West. The panels are expected to generate 35,396 kWh per year and save 6.8 tonnes CO₂ equivalent. In 2023 we will complete a second low carbon substation at the Lancashire enterprise zone in Samlesbury.

For more details, please download our case study.

Case study