Keele among UK’s top universities for renewable energy generation

Keele University has been recognised as one of the top-performing universities in the UK for renewable energy generation and carbon reduction, according to newly published data. 

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the 2023/24 academic year shows that with 6,253 MWh of renewable energy generated in 2023/24, Keele is fourth in the UK higher education sector for renewable energy generation - behind only Cambridge, Bristol, and Loughborough. Impressively, the University also exported 627 MWh of electricity back into the national grid.  

Keele has also reduced its carbon emissions by 3.5% compared to the previous year, despite that coinciding with a period of significant growth - demonstrating the University’s continued commitment to sustainability and climate action. 

The University’s on-site Low Carbon Energy Generation Park (LCEG) features 12,500 solar panels, two wind turbines, and an industrial battery for storing the generated energy. Combined, this technology provides around 50% of the campus’ electricity needs, and provides a unique site for research into low carbon and smart energy, as well as its impact on biodiversity. 

Keele is also in the top 5 nationally for both: 

• Total renewable energy generated (on-site and off-site), and 

• Electricity exported back to the grid. 

Professor Mark Ormerod OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Keele University, said: "Sustainability is a key overarching priority for Keele University. These latest sector results reflect our long-term investment and partnerships in renewable and smart energy technology, energy efficiency and carbon reduction.  

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as a sector leader through our campus Low Carbon Energy Generation Park directly integrated with Europe’s largest Smart Energy Network Demonstrator. Our new campus electrolyser means that we are now producing green hydrogen using renewable electricity generated on campus, which is really exciting, and providing a fantastic low carbon technology research, teaching and demonstrator facility." 

The EMR data provides key insights into how universities across the UK are managing their estates, including energy use, emissions, and sustainability practices.