Purchase agreement to provide solar energy to life science campuses accelerates PIONEER GROUP’s carbon net-zero ambitions
UK, 01 JULY 2022 – Pioneer Group, the leading developer and operator of life science and technology campuses across the UK, today announces a new virtual Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with Ray Valley Solar, an Oxfordshire-based solar farm. The agreement sees four locations from the Pioneer Group portfolio become the first science parks in the UK to source green electricity from a single, dedicated supplier, gaining the opportunity to report zero carbon emissions on their scope two electricity.
Under the terms of the CPPA, Ray Valley Solar will supply green electricity to the following life science campuses: Hexagon Tower (Manchester), BioCity Glasgow, Colworth Science Park (Bedford) and Edinburgh Technopole. Ray Valley Solar, which is the largest community-owned ground mount solar park in the UK, will power over 700,000 square feet of office and lab space to more than 100 companies located within Pioneer Group‘s campuses.
Rowan Packer, head of sustainability at MAPP, the sustainability and property management service provider who brokered the CPPA on behalf of Pioneer Group, said, “We are excited to support Pioneer Group and its efforts to be carbon net-zero. This is innovative agreement matches the power requirements of these four science parks with Ray Valley Solar farm’s 19GWh annual production, enabling Pioneer Group 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. That said, we believe that delivering a net-zero carbon pathway as quickly as possible gives Pioneer Group the climate resilience so needed in the life science industry.”
Toby Reid, Pioneer Group’s Executive Director, commented, “This is a watershed moment, not just for us at PIONEER GROUP, but for the entire life sciences industry. The energy usage of some laboratories can be almost ten 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. For Pioneer Group, it is imperative that we are offering spaces in which science and technology entrepreneurs can create maximum positive impact in the most environmental and sustainable way possible.”
Paul Bashir, CEO of Harrison Street Europe, added, “We recognize the importance of proactively addressing climate change and are committed to a meaningful reduction of carbon emissions across our portfolio. Given the large carbon footprint life science assets can have, reducing carbon emissions so significantly through this agreement with Ray Valley Solar not only contributes to Harrison Street’s goal of reducing our firm-wide carbon footprint 70% by 2025, but also positively impacts the environment and community of which these assets serve. We intend to lead by example and are pleased to be working with partners such as Pioneer Group and MAPP who share our values and commitment fighting climate change over the long term.”
