Cheshire College South & West has been successful in gaining almost £2m in funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to upgrade the boilers in its Chester campus. The upgrade will see the existing end-of-life gas boilers replaced with an air source heat pumps and an electric hot water boiler.
The College’s success in Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme means that the education provider is one step closer to its goal of becoming net zero, thanks to the £1,962,922 award.
Up to £409m in funds have been allocated across the country during this phase of the scheme, which provides funding for projects that decarbonise heating systems and improve energy efficiency in public sector buildings. 144 public sector organisations have been awarded money for 171 energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects, with the North West receiving just over £44.5m.
The money is distributed through Salix Finance, the delivery body for the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and the Low Carbon Skills Fund. The non-departmental public body also plays a key role in increasing the awareness across the public sector throughout the UK in the importance of energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation.
Cheshire College’s Crewe campus has already made the transition to air source heat pumps as part of the college’s commitment to provide a sustainable environment for staff and students.
Jasbir Dhesi, OBE, Principal and CEO at Cheshire College – South & West, said: “Our College is committed to help improve the environment. Our pathway to achieving net zero is embedded in everything that we do, from delivering innovative courses centred around sustainability, to investing in state-of-the-art digital facilities and equipment; we are striving to be greener across all our sites and operations.
“Through this Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grant, we will be able to accelerate our pathway to net zero by significantly reducing our carbon emissions. Our construction and engineering students will also be able to work closely with contractors to see first-hand the instillation and commissioning of new technologies. This investment in reducing our carbon emissions will benefit generations to come.”
Handbridge Park Councillor Razia Daniels added: “This is fantastic news! We are delighted that Cheshire College South & West have been successful in securing this massive investment to help them ‘go green.’
“The College is already making significant progress in this area and how fitting it is that a place intended to inspire the next generation – who are so committed to the environment – is able to benefit from a major cash boost. We are pleased to support all that the College is achieving in this area.”
Salix Finance, Director of Programmes, Ian Rodger, commented: “We are looking forward to working with the Cheshire College South & West on this project which will help cut carbon emissions and will make the college more energy efficient as well as being a more pleasant place for both students and staff to work.
“We will support the College throughout this decarbonisation journey, helping it meet its net zero targets, benefiting future generations.”
Cheshire College prioritises sustainability across its three Campuses in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester. As well as its involvement in the decarbonisation scheme, the College demonstrates this through various initiatives, such as energy consumption and waste management practises, free transport and electric charging points on-site, plus much more.
To learn more, visit the Cheshire College – South and West website.
