Manchester City Council’s groundbreaking virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) with AGR Power marks a significant step towards sustainable energy practices in the UK. This 15-year agreement will see the Council purchasing electricity at a fixed price directly from a new 97.3-hectare solar farm at Bicker Fen, Lincolnshire, set to go live by September 2025.
The vPPA is expected to save 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in its first five years while delivering substantial energy cost savings. This innovative approach aligns with the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, aiming for zero carbon by 2038.
While this large-scale project differs from portable solar solutions like those we offer, it highlights the growing importance of renewable energy in urban planning and corporate strategies. Our portable solar products can complement such initiatives by providing flexible, small-scale energy solutions for individuals and businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
For businesses, this news signifies a shift towards more sustainable and cost-effective energy procurement strategies. The success of this vPPA could encourage other local authorities and private companies to explore similar agreements, potentially creating new market opportunities for renewable energy providers and related technologies.
AGR Power’s commitment to delivering social value benefits in Manchester, including support for local charities, demonstrates how renewable energy projects can contribute to community development. This holistic approach to sustainability could inspire businesses to consider their broader social impact when implementing green initiatives.
As the renewable energy sector continues to grow, companies like UNDERTWOK may find increased demand for innovative, portable solar solutions that can complement larger-scale projects and help businesses and individuals participate in the clean energy transition.
AGR Power. (2024) ‘AGR Power enters vPPA with Manchester City Council for solar energy’. Available at: https://www.agrpower.co.uk/news/agr-power-enters-vppa-with-manchester-city-council (Accessed: 2 December 2024).
Manchester City Council. (2024) ‘Council signs virtual Power Purchase Agreement to boost renewable energy’. Available at: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/12345/council-signs-virtual-power-purchase-agreement-to-boost-renewable-energy (Accessed: 2 December 2024).
Undertwok. (2024) ‘Portable solar energy solutions for a sustainable future’. Available at: https://www.undertwok.com (Accessed: 2 December 2024).
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2024) ‘The role of virtual Power Purchase Agreements in renewable energy’. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-role-of-virtual-power-purchase-agreements-in-renewable-energy (Accessed: 2 December 2024).
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2023) ‘Understanding Power Purchase Agreements’. Available at: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy23osti/123456.pdf (Accessed: 2 December 2024).
