Zero Carbon Tour visits Renewables Centre at college
Leading the way towards the UK’s emissions target
THE UK’s first 100-per-cent electric coach stopped off for a look at the Newbury College Renewables Centre on Wednesday, September 8, as it continued its journey from The Eden Project to COP26 (the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference).
The Zero Carbon Tour, operated by Planet Mark, is accelerating the UN-backed Race to Zero as part of the UK’s #TogetherForOurPlanet campaign and provided the ideal opportunity to showcase how Berkshire is leading the global green agenda on a local level.
The event also marked the launch of Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) first Berkshire Net Zero Carbon Research Report, sharing the first in a series of priorities that will ensure that the county plays a leading role in the UK’s drive to net zero carbon emissions.
Net zero is dependent on people who have the skills to bring green plans to life and progress is already being made in this regard.
The launch of this report at Newbury College’s new Renewables Centre, where the
LEP has invested £450,000 of the Government’s Getting Building Fund, represents one such key project. The centre will expand the delivery of skills for renewable energy systems and engineering, including biomass boilers, air source heat pumps, solar PV and fuel cell systems.
Newbury College and UCN have been an important part
of the educational landscape of West Berkshire for more than 70 years and is continuing to develop its learning campus to meet the needs of local people and of the economy.
The addition of the new Renewables Centre will support the need for more training and skills in renewable energy systems and engineering in the South East.