Bruntwood takes major stake in new wind farm in sector first

Manchester property investor and developer, Bruntwood, says it is the first in its sector to invest in a renewable energy-generating project.

It has bought a 42.4% share in a new co-operative-owned wind farm, situated at Kirk Hill, in Ayshire, Scotland.

Its investment means the group, which has commercial property in and around Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cambridge, will now source 80% of its annual energy needs, including Bruntwood’s own offices and shared spaces, directly from the new wind farm.

Unify Energy, Bruntwood’s energy supply business, has become a partner to the new cooperative formed to supply the wind farm that includes both households and businesses. It will supply businesses with their green energy from the wind farm, with E.ON Next, Your Co-Op Energy and SO Energy set to supply domestic consumers.

The wind farm, which is being developed by Ripple Energy, is now the largest consumer-owned wind farm in the UK.

It will protect its members from future energy price shocks by providing stable power for the future.

Chris Oglesby, Bruntwood chief executive, said: “Bruntwood was the first commercial property company in the UK to sign up to the 2030 World GBC Net Zero target and this investment will provide a huge step in us reaching our goals.

“We recognise the significant impact our buildings have on the environmental performance of our cities, largely through their energy consumption.

“Our portfolio in Manchester, for example, accounts for 0.6% of the city’s emissions once you also include our customers’ energy use. Sourcing power from Kirk Hill will make a major dent into this.”

He added: “In helping our cities take a big step forward in their own net zero journeys, we’re also giving customers the opportunity to minimise their emissions and some protection from the inflationary pressures on energy prices through greater stability.”