Headingley Cricket Ground set to be powered entirely by renewable energy

The agreement sees UrbanChain become Yorkshire Cricket’s exclusive energy partner, with renewable energy to be supplied from January 1 2027.

The groups said that the energy powering Headingley next year will come from a “range of renewable sources,” adding that their ambition will be to source more power from around Yorkshire in the coming years.

Speaking on the deal, Daniel Matson, commercial director at Yorkshire Cricket, said: “This new partnership reflects our desire to build a club with a sustainable future and demonstrates our commitment to being a responsible, forward-thinking organisation making a positive impact.

“Partnering with UrbanChain means the energy powering Headingley is renewable, and we’ll have visibility over where it’s come from.

“Over time we’ll be drawing on more energy generated right here as Yorkshire is powered by Yorkshire.

“We look forward to using Yorkshire Cricket’s platform, reach and connections to support UrbanChain’s growth and ambitions across the county, while they help us deliver a more sustainable future for Headingley.”

The partnership between Yorkshire Cricket and UrbanChain is part of the club’s commitment to “reenergise Headingley”.

The commitment was put forward earlier this year after the club launched its ten-year Chasing Glory strategy, designed to “return Yorkshire County Cricket Club to the forefront of the game”.

In a statement issued alongside the launch of the Chasing Glory stratergy, Sanjay Patel MBE, CEO of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said: “Today, success in sport is measured by more than results alone. It is also defined by the impact we make, the opportunities we create and the pride we inspire.

"That is why our purpose is clear: to be the pride of a thriving Yorkshire and the pulse of global cricket.”

Founded in 2017, UrbanChain has built an Ofgem-licensed energy platform that uses ‘intelligent matching’ to connect renewable generators directly with consumers on a half-hourly basis.

UrbanChain said that as one of the region’s most recognised sporting venues, Headingley would provide a “high-profile demonstration of how organisations can access renewable energy with greater transparency, traceability and control”.

Speaking on the partnership, Charlie Parry, chief growth officer at UrbanChain, said: “Yorkshire County Cricket Club is more than a cricket club. It’s one of Yorkshire's most recognisable institutions.

“That’s why this partnership matters. We're not just supporting the club, we’re powering it.

“By connecting businesses more directly with renewable generation, we’re demonstrating how energy can be bought and sold in a way that’s more transparent, more local and more valuable for everyone involved.

“We want this partnership to be a showcase for what’s possible when Yorkshire businesses are powered by Yorkshire renewable energy.”

UrbanChain added in a statement that the partnership “complements a broader drive to support Yorkshire’s economy by building long-term relationships with businesses across the region and expanding access to transparently sourced renewable energy.”

The announcement comes after Leeds united also earlier this year launched its All Green All Leeds scheme, its new approach to environmental sustainability.

The club said the first strategic pillar of the scheme will focus on adapting the club’s operations to reduce environmental impact, with the aim of becoming net zero by 2040.

Work is already underway across Elland Road and Thorp Arch to “improve energy efficiency, manage resources responsibly and support nature”

The club has also since 2024 been supplied with 100 per cent renewable electricity backed by certificates of renewable energy guarantees of origin.