Powering Cambridge Colleges with 100% UK solar power

Our bespoke Renewable Specific Product allows the Consortium of Cambridge Colleges to choose their preferred source of 100% renewable electricity by generation asset type, as well as location. 

Spanning across 131 sites, all 33 Cambridge Colleges, are now primarily powered by two solar farms located within a 30-mile radius - Stowbridge and Abbey Solar Farms, based in Ely and Huntingdon – which supply 80% of their electricity.  

The remaining volume is sourced from additional solar generators across the UK, ensuring that all of the colleges’ needs are fulfilled by the power of the sun. 

With the shared vision of a net zero future, we are delighted to supply Cambridge Colleges with verified, REGO-backed solar energy.  

We have worked closely with global sustainability leaders the Carbon Trust to develop a robust solution for companies wanting to confidently procure and report renewable electricity. 

Their verification guarantees that each megawatt hour used by the Colleges comes from renewable sources backed by UK-recognized origin certificates. This also enables the Colleges to report zero carbon emissions for purchased electricity in accordance with the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance. 

The university’s students have been vocal about their desire to attend a sustainably-minded university that procures and supports local renewable generators, and we are pleased to fulfil these requirements. 

Through this partnership, we’re empowering a greener generation by connecting with the students, helping to involve them in the colleges’ transition to net zero.  

In May 2022, Student Green Officers from the Colleges joined us on a visit to one of the solar farms powering the Colleges, where they learned about the renewable energy contract and solar technology. This provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with the Colleges’ sustainability plans and apply their insights to their own studies. 

Later in the year, we were thrilled to welcome two students as participants in our Net Zero Week Festival, joining the panel discussion ‘Net Zero – What’s it all about?’. With a shared passion for addressing climate change, it was exciting to hear the students’ innovative perspectives on net zero and the climate crisis. 

We’ve worked closely with the Cambridge Colleges, along with their Energy Consultants, World Kinect Energy Services, to ensure the contract meets their bespoke requirements.  

We are proud to be part of Cambridge University's journey towards achieving its sustainability goals and look forward to continuing this partnership, actively engaging students and empowering them to contribute to a sustainable future.