44 | FOREVER Keele
ALUMNI AND STAFF SUCCESS
Energy generation begins on Keele ’ s Low Carbon Energy Generation Park
In September 2021 , energy generation began at the new Low Carbon Energy Generation Park on the Keele University campus , marking an important milestone in Keele ’ s journey to become carbon neutral by 2030 .
The multi-technology energy park , run in partnership with EQUANS - part of the ENGIE Group - features a wind and solar farm , as well as an industrial-sized battery to store the generated energy .
The installation of 12,500 solar photo-voltaic ( PV ) panels and two wind turbines was completed in Autumn 2021 , and they are now generating at least 50 % of the University ’ s campus electricity requirements from renewable sources , saving around 1,500 tonnes of carbon emissions each year .
Professor Mark Ormerod , Deputy Vice- Chancellor and Provost , and institutional lead for sustainability , said : “ It has been fantastic to work in partnership with EQUANS to successfully deliver this hugely important and strategic project on time despite the challenging external environment . Alongside the campus being home to Europe ’ s largest Smart Energy Network Demonstrator and undertaking major decarbonisation projects , these are really exciting times for the University .”