The University of Manchester has entered into a 10-year corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with the 71 MW Medebridge Solar Farm in Essex, England, marking what is thought to be the largest PPA signed by a UK educational institution.
The agreement, covering 80% of the solar farm’s output, is expected to meet around 65% of the university’s electricity demand. The remaining 20% will be traded on the open market with support from EDF, which is responsible for “balancing and shaping” the plant’s output to provide a consistent supply to the university. The CPPA will come into effect from September 1, 2025.
Medebridge Solar Farm was developed by Enviromena, which will continue to operate and maintain the project for its full 40-year lifespan. A spokesperson for the company emphasized its scale, noting that it manages over 400 MW of renewable assets and has a 3 GW pipeline of projects in the UK and Italy.
Enviromena Chief Operating Officer Gary Hales said energizing Medebridge represented a “huge achievement” for the company, adding, “Delivering a project of this scale without a single health and safety incident, and at such a pace, is testament to the expertise and dedication of our team.”
EDF PPA Director Tom Abbott highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that the agreement shows “how smart partnerships can unlock big wins for decarbonisation.” He added, “Our balancing, shaping, and sleeving services mean the university gets dependable clean power –and a clear path towards its net zero goals.”
