College group targets carbon neutrality with major investment

With the launch of a mulit-million-pound investment, Nelson & Colne College Group is set to become one of the first further education colleges in the country to commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.

The college’s campuses in Accrington and Nelson will undergo a significant transformation over the coming months, replacing their fossil-fuel-based heating systems as part of a major £8m green energy retrofit.

This would put the college 15 years ahead of the UK government’s net zero target in 2050.

The initiative is a direct response to the growing environmental concerns of the college's 13,000 strong student body and will reduce the college’s burning of fossil fuels by more than 90 per cent.

The college partnered with decarbonisation specialists HI Group to identify the most effective and viable green energy solution over a two-year period of extensive analysis and meticulous planning.

These efforts have culminated in a detailed emissions reduction strategy and a three-step energy retrofit plan including the installation of renewable electricity-powered heat pumps, implementation of solar PV systems and integration of battery storage and smart controls for economic energy management.

Lisa O’Loughlin, principal of NCCG, said: "This project represents a major milestone in our sustainability journey. By striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, we are setting a strong example for our students and the community. We are not just educating about sustainability; we are living it."

Completion of the project is anticipated by March 2025.