Lancaster leaps closer to Net Zero with two major renewable projects

An architect's impression of the new Energy Centre

The Solar Photovoltaic Farm

A new £17million ‘solar PV farm’, funded by the University, which will consist of more than 17,000 photovoltaic (PV) cell panels constructed on the University’s land to the east of the M6. The 52-acre solar farm will generate enough energy to supply the annual demand of approximately 2,800 houses each year. The project also includes a comprehensive landscaping scheme which will enhance the hedgerows and woodland in the area, protecting views for local walkers and creating an environment that will support wildlife and increase biodiversity. Construction of the solar farm will begin in early summer 2024.

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.

The Low Carbon Energy Centre

Following the award of more than £21million of funding from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), Lancaster University will begin construction of a new ‘Low Carbon Energy Centre’ in Autumn 2024. The GHNF funding will be matched by the University to develop a new £42million facility on Bailrigg campus which will virtually eliminate the use of gas to heat its Bailrigg Campus. The energy centre will use state-of-the-art heat pump technology to generate a projected 39-Gigawatt hours (GWh) of low carbon heat, enough to heat 95 per cent of the buildings on campus.

Lancaster University has also been awarded £560,387 for the Lancaster Campus District Heat Network from the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES). Funding will go towards upgrading infrastructure across the network and allow it to be “Heat Pump Ready”. The project therefore includes the installation of more efficient pumps and meters, improving the central building management system, enhancing insulation throughout the network. HNES funding will be crucial in achieving the University’s pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions from electricity and heating by 2030.

Solar Farm and Energy Centre key information

Lancaster University is investing £59million to further decarbonize its campus and help towards achieving a Net Zero future. Lancaster is one of the highest producers of renewable energy out of all UK universities.

Solar powered

The new solar PV farm with 17,000 solar panels at the Forrest Hills site will generate enough energy to supply the annual demand of approximately 2,800 houses each year.

Driving towards a cleaner future

The new solar PV farm will generate enough electricity to power a journey of 34,580,000 miles using an electric vehicle - equivalent to driving from London to France, over 80,000 times.

Low carbon energy on campus

The new energy centre will generate enough low-carbon heat through air-source heat pumps to heat 95% of buildings on campus.

Connecting campus

An additional 6.5km of district heating pipework will be installed to connect the buildings on campus together.

Renewable wind power

The wind turbine powers approximately 14% of campus electricity. We are one of the highest producers of renewable energy out of all UK universities. The Wind Turbine Community Benefit Fund donates £20,000 each year to sustainable projects in the local community.
Solar energy

The new solar PV (photovoltaic) farm will generate enough energy to power a journey of over 30,000,000 miles using an electric vehicle - equivalent of driving from Lancaster to France over 80,000 time.
Carbon net zero from energy by 2030

We are investing £59million towards achieving a Net Zero future. The new energy centre will generate enough low-carbon energy to heat 95% of buildings on campus. The project will virtually eliminate the use of gas heating on our campus.