- Libraries, leisure centres and emergency service buildings in
line for funding boost from Great British Energy
- Improvements will help cut carbon emissions, improve energy
efficiency, and reduce costs
- Funding helps deliver on pledge for a greener and more equal
Greater Manchester, making progress towards our ambitious goal of
net zero by 2038
Public buildings across Greater Manchester will be upgraded with
solar panels, battery storage, and EV chargers thanks to new
funding from Great British Energy.
The £695,000 funding boost will enable a wide range of clean
energy upgrades at key public and community sites across Greater
Manchester, from libraries and leisure centres to emergency
service buildings.
These improvements will help cut carbon emissions, improve energy
efficiency, and reduce long-term running costs for essential
local services.
Greater Manchester is one of several Mayoral Combined Authorities
across England to benefit from the funding, which forms part of a
£10 million national package launched by Great British Energy and
the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The programme is expected to help public facilities collectively
save around £35 million on energy bills over the lifetime of the
projects.
The investment also helps deliver Greater Manchester's work to
make our communities and infrastructure more resilient to climate
change.
Our city region has already taken practical steps towards our
target of reaching net zero by 2038 – 12 years ahead of national
targets – by investing £120 million in retrofitting 225 schools,
leisure centres, and public buildings, leading a shift to clean
green energy.
Our five-year environment
plan sets out how we'll aim to hit our 2038 target,
addressing not only challenges and risks but opportunities too,
while also halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy , said:
“This funding is a welcome boost to our efforts to build a
greener, fairer future for Greater Manchester. By installing
solar panels and battery storage across our public buildings, we
can lower energy bills, cut emissions and make sure more of our
power is generated right here in our communities.
“It directly supports our long-term pledges to create a
low-carbon, resilient city region, showing how national
investment can help us turn ambition into action at a local
level. We're pleased to be part of this national push led by
Great British Energy, which will help city regions like ours lead
the way in the clean energy transition.”
The upgrades are scheduled to begin in the 2025/26 financial year
and are designed to support the UK's broader climate commitments
while delivering direct benefits to local residents through more
efficient, lower-cost public services.
Energy Secretary said:
“Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have
their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's
publicly-owned clean energy company.
“Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that
make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that
bind us in our communities.
“This is what Great British Energy is all about - taking back
control to deliver lower bills for good.”
Cllr , Leader of Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Lead
for Green City-Region, added:
“This is exactly the kind of investment we need to unlock
practical, place-based climate action. By targeting community and
frontline service buildings, this funding will deliver real
impact where it matters most, helping to reduce bills, cut carbon
and reinvest savings back into essential services for our
residents.
“It's a strong example of how local and national government can
work together to address the climate crisis with practical,
cost-effective solutions.”
The funding supports the UK Government's wider Plan for Change
and builds on the launch of Great British Energy, a publicly
owned clean energy company set up to accelerate the rollout of
renewable energy and help tackle the cost of living through lower
energy bills.
Notes to editors
Great British Energy is delivering £10 million of funding to
Mayoral Combined Authorities as part of a wider programme to
bring clean power to schools, hospitals and community
facilities.
The projects are expected to deliver lifetime energy bill savings
of up to £35 million across England.
Greater Manchester has committed to becoming a carbon neutral
city region by 2038.
