Energy and Carbon

We've taken a socially responsible approach to our energy efficiency in the past and already have a strong infrastructure of sustainable facilities to build upon.

The ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ wind turbine, photographed against a clear blue winter sky

Download the energy and utility plan

The use of energy is the primary source of scope 1 and 2 carbon emission. Here you will learn more about the energy infrastructure of our campus, and the works that we are doing towards our net zero target.

Energy and utility plan

ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ wind turbine

Generating between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 kWh of electricity and catering for around 14% of the University's electricity consumption each year, the wind turbine has produced enough electricity to power over 1200 homes for a year.

Installed in November 2012, the turbine was expected to produce between 13 and 16% of Lancaster's annual electricity consumption (depending on average wind speeds). The turbine has reduced University carbon emissions by 1,000-2,200tCO2e each year since installation.

Did you know?

  • The tip of the wind turbine blades can travel at the highest speed of 70m/s, equivalent to over 150 miles per hour
  • Modern wind turbines are equipped with state-of-the-art control systems. For example, our wind turbine can rotate at the base so that the nacelle and blades face the prevailing wind (Yaw Control)
wind turbine close up

Solar photovoltaic (PV) farm

The University is currently constructing an 11MW solar PV farm on the University’s land to the east of the M6 motorway. The solar farm will consist of more than 17,000 pieces of solar panels and will be able to generate approximately 10GWh of electricity annually. (2,000 tCO2 emissions). Construction is due to complete in Spring 2025.

The 52-acre solar farm will generate enough energy to supply over 25% of the campus annual electricity demand. The project also includes a comprehensive landscaping scheme that will enhance the area's hedgerows and woodland, protecting views for local walkers and creating an environment that will support wildlife and increase biodiversity.

The new solar farm will also house a bespoke research facility enabling research and teaching across disciplines from plant science, to control system engineering. The solar farm will encompass a 50kW agrivoltaics demonstrator enabling the production of crops and electricity from the same land area. It is believed to be the first field demonstrator in the UK and will comprise an area of tracking photovoltaic arrays and an area of vertical panels.

Artists impression of solar farm at Forrest Hills Lancaster

Rooftop solar panels

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a sustainability assessment method that is used to masterplan buildings. As part of our BREEAM accreditation, a number of buildings on campus are equipped with rooftop solar panels to offset the building electricity usage directly.

Solar panels on CTap rooftop, generating approximately 5,000kWh per year

Biomass Boiler

The Biomass Boiler burns organic material such as locally sourced wood chips to generate heat, which is then fed into the University’s district heating system. The biomass boiler is accredited under the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

Currently, the boiler supplies around 2-3% of the total heat demand on campus each year. The 1MW output boiler was installed in 2013 as part of the construction of our dedicated Energy Centre and reduces carbon emissions by approximately 230tCO2e per annum.

The wood chips that fuel the boiler are sourced from local commercial forests within 30 miles of the University. These forests are replanted following harvesting and managed on a long term sustainable basis.

The road to carbon net zero

After receiving more than £21m of funding from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ will begin constructing a new Net Zero Energy Centre in late 2024. The funding will be matched by the University to develop a new £40 million energy centre, which will reduce the use of gas on campus by over 90%. The existing heat network will also be extended to cover the majority of the buildings on campus. Equipped with a 7MW Air-Source Heat Pump array, the new energy centre is projected to generate over 39 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of low-carbon heat.

Artists impression of the new energy centre

Frequently asked questions accordion