Yorkshire university makes move to renewable electricity in carbon neutral journey

The University of Sheffield has signed new electricity contracts, with Bryt Energy, Europe's largest generator of renewable energy, making its purchased supply 100 percent renewable for the first time.

Electricity will be generated exclusively from wind, hydro and solar sources supply all of the university’s buildings, including its central campus.

The new supply will reduce net carbon emissions by up to 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (co2) per year.

Professor Koen Lamberts, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said the move was an important step in the university's aims to become carbon neutral.

He said: "We are absolutely committed to addressing climate change via our research, our education and our institutional actions.

"Switching to a 100 per cent renewable electricity contract is an important step in our sustainability work and follows our work to completely divest from fossil fuels and incorporate sustainable development into our education."

The move to renewable energy comes after collaboration between the university and student groups to establish priorities for sustainability.

Harry Carling, a spokesperson from Sheffield students’ union, said: "The University of Sheffield has set an example to the rest of the higher education sector, and organisations around the world.

"It is now the responsibility of others to follow."

As part of its plans to become more sustainable the University of Sheffield was one of the first universities in the country to completely divest from fossil fuel investments.

Academics at the university are also currently working on a host of measures which will help it to become carbon neutral.

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