Enviromena has officially launched the 71-megawatt peak (MWp) Medebridge solar farm in Essex, a project described as one of the UK’s largest university-linked renewable energy initiatives.
Located near South Ockendon, the site began generating electricity on September 1 under a 10-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with the University of Manchester. The agreement is expected to supply 65% of the university’s electricity demand and reduce its annual carbon emissions by approximately 12,000 tonnes of CO₂.
“The official launch of Medebridge is a proud moment for everyone involved,” said Chris Marsh, chief executive of Enviromena. “From initial acquisition to full energisation, this has been a flagship project for us in every sense. The collaboration with the University of Manchester, EDF and Inspired has been exemplary and it shows what’s possible when ambitious organisations come together with a shared purpose.”
The project is forecast to produce around 72,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually, with more than 7,000MWh generated in its first month of operation. The solar farm will be managed by Enviromena throughout its operational life, including maintenance and asset management.
The launch event brought together representatives from the University of Manchester, EDF, Inspired PLC, and UK Power Networks for a site tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Dr Julian Skyrme, executive director for social responsibility at the University of Manchester, said the agreement highlights the institution’s climate strategy. “This project demonstrates the real impact we can achieve when we work together,” he said. “It reflects our commitment to cutting our carbon footprint, boosting our energy resilience, and supporting the UK’s transition to net zero.”
Tom Abbott, PPA director at EDF Wholesale Market Services, said the agreement illustrates how tailored partnerships can contribute to decarbonisation. “By bringing power from Medebridge Solar Farm through this tailored CPPA, we’re showing how smart partnerships can unlock big wins for decarbonisation,” he said.
Inspired account manager Hal Chapman-Daws added that the CPPA’s integration into the university’s strategy “ensures lasting value, sustainable growth, and benefits that extend across all services.”
The Medebridge site includes environmental measures such as hedgerow enhancements and wildflower meadow planting to support local biodiversity.
With the site now operational, Enviromena’s portfolio exceeds 400MWp under management, alongside more than 3GW of solar and battery storage projects currently in development across the UK and Europe.
