Enviromena has officially launched the 71MWp Medebridge solar farm in Essex, marking a major milestone for one of the UK’s largest university-linked clean energy projects.
Located near South Ockendon, the site began generating power on 1 September under a 10-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with the University of Manchester. The agreement, the largest of its kind with a UK educational institution, will provide 65% of the university’s electricity needs and cut its annual carbon emissions by 12,000 tonnes of CO₂.
The launch event brought together partners including the University of Manchester, EDF, Inspired PLC, and UK Power Networks for a site tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Medebridge is forecast to generate 72,500MWh of renewable electricity each year, with more than 7,000MWh already produced in its first month of operation.
Enviromena chief executive Chris Marsh said: “The official launch of Medebridge is a proud moment for everyone involved. 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.”
Dr Julian Skyrme, executive director for social responsibility at the University of Manchester, said the project demonstrates “the real impact we can achieve when we work together” and reflects the university’s 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: “By bringing power from Medebridge Solar Farm through this tailored CPPA, we’re showing how smart partnerships can unlock big wins for decarbonisation.”
Inspired account manager Hal Chapman-Daws added that integrating the CPPA into the university’s strategy “ensures lasting value, sustainable growth, and benefits that extend across all services.”
Enviromena will manage the site throughout its operational life, including operations, maintenance and asset management. The project also includes hedgerow enhancements and wildflower meadow planting to boost local biodiversity.
With Medebridge now operational, Enviromena’s portfolio exceeds 400MWp under management, alongside more than 3GW of solar and battery storage projects in development across the UK and Europe.