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.
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.
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