University signs green energy deal

Students at Scotland’s oldest University are plugging into green energy following a deal to use Green Source, the new ScottishPower brand name for green energy.

The benefits of the deal will be reflected in the costs of running over 100 sites owned by the University.

The deal means that the sites will now have a percentage of their electricity supply matched to small-scale hydro and on-shore wind sources of generation operated by ScottishPower across the UK. ScottishPower will supply 1.42 million kWh’s (10%) of the University’s 14.2 million kWh annual electricity consumption from certified renewable sources. This will result in the CO2 emissions attributable to the University’s energy demands being cut by 612 tonnes, the equivalent of taking 400 cars off the road.

News of the deal was welcomed by Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, Dr Brian Lang who said, “Renewable energy is a serious option. Going green not only makes financial sense – it also makes environmental sense. Signing with ScottishPower to use Green Source has enabled the University to use clean, green energy with a guarantee that all renewable electricity bought is matched back to a unit generated from a renewable source in the UK. This is an exciting opportunity and demonstrates our commitment to the environment.”

The University is one of a growing number of organisations and businesses including Thomas Cook Travel and the Bank of Scotland who are tapping into green energy generated mainly from ScottishPower’s ten windfarms.

Jim Paterson, Business Sales Director at ScottishPower added, “ScottishPower is leading the way in helping its customers move towards greater environmental responsibility and is developing solutions to help businesses and consumers play their part in increasing generation from renewable energy sources. This innovative green energy contract will help the University of St Andrews to do their bit for the environment and promote sustainable development.”

This latest green energy deal reinforces ScottishPower’s position as one of the leading suppliers in the new renewable energy market. ScottishPower has recently signed the UK’s largest green energy deal with West of Scotland local authorities buying consortium (abc).

ScottishPower also recently announced a £70 million plan to build a large windfarm on the site of an abandoned open cast mine at Black Law near the village of Forth in South Lanarkshire, as well as plans to build the UK’s biggest windfarm – generating enough electricity to power 150,000 homes – on moors some 10 miles south of Glasgow.

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For further information, please contact Jo Dain/Kate Sanders at LEEDEX on tel: 0131 220 6265 or e- mail: [email protected]

Note to Editors

*The UK Climate Change Programme was launched on 17th November by Michael Meacher – just prior to the Hague summit. It sets out a wide ranging package of policies to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2010.

 **CO2 savings are calculated from the DETR “Guidelines for Company Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions” together with figures from Energy Savings Trust Future Energy Scheme. The UK average electricity related carbon dioxide emissions are 431 tonnes per million kWh.

Sam Galbraith, new Scottish Environment Minister launched the Scottish Climate Change Programme http://www.scotland.gov.uk/climatec hange at the same time. This has a significant increase in the Scottish target for renewable energy (over the UK target of 10%) to a projected 18% by 2010.

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