From 1st September, Medebridge will deliver renewable electricity supported by the UK’s largest solar Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with an educational institution.
The 10-year agreement with The University of Manchester will supply 65% of the university’s electricity demand, cutting its carbon emissions by around 12,000 tonnes annually and strengthening its long-term commitment to sustainability and energy resilience.
Spanning 175 acres near South Ockendon, Medebridge is expected to generate over 72,500 MWh of clean electricity each year – enough to power 26,000 homes and save more than 14,000 tonnes of CO₂.
Lee Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Enviromena, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to see Medebridge go live. It’s our largest and most complex project to date and a major step forward in the UK’s net-zero journey.
“By securing a long-term commitment with a top-tier academic institution, this project proves how large-scale renewables and corporate sustainability can align to deliver real impact.”
Gary Hales, COO at Enviromena, said: “The energisation of Medebridge represents a huge achievement by everyone at Enviromena. Delivering a project of this scale without a single health and safety incident, and at such pace, is testament to the expertise and dedication of our team.
“Medebridge showcases how we can deploy clean energy infrastructure both safely and efficiently, while setting new benchmarks for operational excellence in the renewables sector.”
Beyond clean energy, the Medebridge Solar Farm will deliver a significant biodiversity net gain. The 175-acre site will feature enhancements to existing hedgerows and the planting of native grassland and wildflower meadow beneath and around the solar arrays. These measures are intended to improve habitat connectivity and support nesting opportunities for local wildlife.
Eighty per cent of the power generated (58 GWh) will be purchased directly by the university over the next decade. This will reduce the university’s carbon footprint by 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to powering 21,000 homes.
The University of Manchester is the offtaker for the project’s CPPA, securing 65% of its electricity needs through Medebridge. This agreement is central to the university’s decarbonisation strategy and its wider ambition to be a global leader in social and environmental responsibility.
Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester, said: “The University’s new long-term solar power agreement is a landmark moment in our journey to zero carbon. By entering into this corporate Power Purchase Agreement, we are directly supporting the development of new UK renewable energy while significantly cutting our own emissions.
“Universities have a vital role to play in tackling the climate crisis, not just through research and education but by taking bold, practical action. At Manchester, we’re proud to be the only university ranked in the global top ten every year for social and environmental impact in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and we remain determined to lead by example to help create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our partners, including Inspired, Enviromena and EDF, whose expertise and support have been essential in making this project a reality.”
EDF, Britain’s largest buyer of renewable electricity, is responsible for structuring and managing the CPPA. By balancing and shaping the solar farm’s output, EDF ensures the university receives a reliable and predictable supply of renewable power.
“We’re proud to help The University of Manchester turn its sustainability ambitions into reality,” said Tom Abbott, PPA Director at EDF.
“By bringing power from Medebridge Solar Farm through this tailored CPPA, we’re showing how smart partnerships can unlock big wins for decarbonisation. Our balancing, shaping, and sleeving services mean the University gets dependable clean power – and a clear path towards its net zero goals.”
Inspired PLC, the university’s energy and sustainability advisor, played a key role in negotiating and structuring the agreements that underpin the deal. Its technical expertise and long-term advisory support were instrumental in bringing the CPPA to fruition
Richard Sullivan, Managing Director of I&C and Estate Intensive at Inspired, said: “CPPAs are an increasingly popular choice for organisations seeking to decarbonise as they offer up to 100% renewable power and much-needed additionality to the grid. Now a solar farm in Essex supplies The University of Manchester with renewable energy. In this case, it means the University and Medebridge can be located at the opposite ends of the country.
“This is the culmination of years of meticulous contract negotiations and support our technical experts have provided, and we are delighted for the project to have reached this point. We look forward to powering our partnership on with The University of Manchester and Enviromena alike.”
This energisation marks the latest milestone in Enviromena’s expansion of operational solar projects across the UK. With nearly 400MWp already under management and a pipeline exceeding 3GW across the UK and Europe, the company continues to play a leading role in accelerating the transition to clean energy.
