Operator of life sciences and tech hubs We Are Pioneer Group has signed a two-year agreement with an Oxfordshire-based solar farm, Ray Valley Solar.
The deal will see four locations from Pioneer’s portfolio become the first science parks in the UK to source green electricity from a single supplier, providing the opportunity to report zero carbon emissions on their scope 2 electricity.
Ray Valley Solar will power more than 700,000 sq ft of office and lab space serving more than 100 companies located within Hexagon Tower in Manchester, BioCity Glasgow, Colworth Park in Bedford and Edinburgh Technopole.
Toby Reid, executive director at Pioneer, said: “This is a watershed moment, not just for us at Pioneer, but for the entire life sciences industry. The energy usage of some laboratories can be almost 10 times that of a standard office building, yet the work being done within them is focused on creating solutions to global health and environmental challenges.”
Rowan Packer, head of sustainability at MAPP, which acted on behalf of Pioneer, said: “This innovative agreement matches the power requirements of these four science parks with Ray Valley Solar’s 19GWh annual production, enabling Pioneer to apply the ESG ‘additionality’ rule – a critical qualification in being able to report zero carbon emissions for scope 2 electricity usage.
“While a significant step, this is only part of the strategy as on-site renewable generation remains the ultimate aim long-term.”
Pioneer is a jv between Harrison Street and Trinity Investment Management.
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