The intent of the cPPA is as follows:

• Secure and develop 'new to earth' renewable infrastructure (aka ‘additionality’) to generate clean energy, enabling the University to report zero carbon emissions.
• Enhance energy security for the University, through complementary contracts, including an Onsale buyer agreement with EDF, a direct agreement for supply protection, and a credit guarantee for commercial safeguarding.
• Achieve price certainty with a fixed (RPI-adjusted) 10-year rate, mitigating market volatility and supporting long-term financial planning

Being built on 'low-grade' agricultural land, the site will also deliver significant biodiversity gains, with improved hedgerows, native grassland planting, and wildflower meadows promoting wildlife nesting and habitat connectivity. Site owner, Enviromena, also plan to install a permanent research station onsite for staff/students, and UoM is now collaborating with Enviromena, and the University of Manchester's 'Sustainable Futures' research platform, to ensure this comes together in 2025/26.

Successful execution of the cPPA contracts required a comprehensive, multi-year approach between 2021 and 2025. The methodology encompassed strategic procurement, rigorous due diligence, and detailed contract negotiations, resulting in the execution of the primary contract in April 2024.

Key actions taken:

• Forming of a multidisciplinary implementation team, with specialists from both inside and outside the University
• Strategic partnership with Inspired PLC and Enviromena
• Negotiation of primary cPPA, Direct Agreement and Credit Guarantee, to release the £30m+ investment funding from Close Brothers Energy to build Medebridge
• Subsequent contractual negotiations with EDF to secure on the OnSale Buyer cPPA, which allows EDF to offtake the electricity generated by Medebridge and sleeve it into the grid.

Implementation Timeline:

• 2021 (Q4): Obtain SLT/Board approval to explore cPPA options
• 2022 (Q2): UK Market Testing to identify potential projects
• 2022 (Q3): Compiled tender bid and released to market
• 2022 (Q4): Score responses and award of contract
• 2023 (Q1-Q2): Negotiate commercial heads of terms (HoT’s)
• 2023 (Q3) – 2024 (Q1): Negotiate Primary cPPA contract (executed Apr 24), Direct Agreement and Credit Guarantee
• 2024 (Q2 – Q4): Enviromena Construct Medebridge Solar Plant (103k solar panels/350 miles of cabling)
• 2024 (Q2) – 2025 (Q3): UoM negotiates OnSale Buyer cPPA with EDF (executed 4^th July 2025)
• 2025 (Q4): Medebridge commissioning (anticipated 1^st September 2025)

Implementation Challenges:

• 2022 Energy Crisis – Severely disrupted the energy markets and number of active UK solar/wind projects. Reduced UoM’s cPPA options from 18 potential sites, down to 3.
• Geopolitical Events in Eastern Europe – Brought additional risks to supply and complete closure of energy trading desk between Mar 22 – Sep 22.
• Stakeholder Alignment - Managed complex interactions among internal teams and external partners, fostering a collaborative approach and requiring persistent negotiation, clear communication and expert/specialist contract management.

The project has delivered transformative results:

• The cPPA secures 80% of Medebridge's annual output (58 GWh), providing up to 65% of the University's electricity demand and reducing carbon emissions by 12,000 tCO2 annually - equivalent to powering 21,000 homes and cutting scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25%.
• A further 14gWh will be directly exported to the grid, further reducing fossil fuel reliance by 3,000 t/Co₂, and driving UK supply towards carbon neutrality
• Price certainty and security of supply of electricity for the 10-year duration of the cPPA, to 2035.
• Enhanced biodiversity through improved hedgerows, native grassland planting, and wildflower meadows, promoting wildlife and natural connectivity. The site will also host a permanent research station for university staff and students, in collaboration with Enviromena and the Sustainable Futures platform.
• External recognition including the Gold AUDE Sustainability Impact Initiative Award 2025 and shortlisting for the UK Green Business Awards 2025

Main Takeaways:

• The implementation team (internal/external) worked seamlessly together, and compliments were made by other partners involved in the process (Enviromena/Close Brothers etc.).
• The primary recommendation would be to address the UoM/Medebridge Primary cPPA and UoM/EDF Onsale Buyer cPPA concurrently, ensuring that the commercial terms are aligned consistently across both agreements.

Whilst predominantly commercial in nature, the project absolutely aligns with the University of Manchester's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion principles:

• Engaging with a diverse network of internal and external partners, including multidisciplinary teams from estates, finance, and sustainability, to ensure varied perspectives and informed decision-making
• Collaborating with the Sustainable Futures platform to integrate the onsite research station, making sustainability research opportunities available to a broad range of staff and students, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, in line with the University's commitment to inclusive innovation and social responsibility.

Carly McLachlan, Professor Climate and Energy Policy and Academic Lead for Carbon: “The really important thing for us in developing this relationship was that our commitment would add new renewable energy capacity to the UK electricity system. Through our long-term purchasing commitment, we have played a key role in bringing this development forward – maximising the positive impact of our purchasing power.”

Dr Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility: “As consumers many of us may have ‘green’ or renewable energy tariff. These are important, but they don’t put ‘additional’ renewable power into the grid in the same way as a power purchase agreement. By signing a PPA we’re supporting not only a greener University of Manchester, but also a greener energy grid across the UK. This PPA is part of a much wider transition away from burning fossil fuels and towards generating significantly more cleaner, electrified forms of power.”

Lee Barlow, Finance & Administration Manager, and Project Lead: “After nearly three years of rigorous procurement and negotiations, we are proud to announce this landmark agreement, which reinforces our commitment to sustainability whilst delivering best value to our students and stakeholders, in the form of price certainty and supply stability.”

‘The Bright Idea’ is a landmark sustainability initiative, delivering 65% (58GWh) of the University’s annual electricity demand through a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (cPPA) with partner, Enviromena. Spanning 170 acres in Ockendon, Essex, it features 103,394 solar modules, 25,849 mounts, and 350 miles of cabling, making it one of the largest renewable energy projects in the Russell Group.

This innovative project sets a new benchmark for institutional energy strategies, demonstrating how universities can mitigate energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and drive the transition to renewable energy. Beyond operational impact, Medebridge will provide a 'living laboratory' for students and researchers to engage in cutting-edge biodiversity projects.

The initiative showcases the power of public-private partnerships in addressing climate challenges, offering a replicable model for other institutions. Medebridge underscores the University of Manchester's commitment to leadership in sustainability and its path toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2038.

For further information, please contact:

Lee Barlow, Finance & Administration Manager, Estates Support