Jobs and skills boost for community thanks to Greater Manchester decarbonisation project aimed at tackling climate change
Video explores how dozens of buildings have benefitted from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
An ambitious decarbonisation project spearheaded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been showcased in a new video.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority supports the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester and aims to guide these authorities through the estate decarbonisation process.
The two-minute video features some of the projects that have been undertaken and the technologies used to help Greater Manchester Combined Authority achieve its long-term environmental vision - to be carbon neutral by 2038.
The authority received funding for large-scale projects across the Greater Manchester area through Phase 1, Phase 3a and Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The scheme is run by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by our teams at Salix.
The Greater Manchester project has included LED upgrades, insulation improvements, solar installations and the replacement of gas-based, fossil fuel heating systems in favour of heat pumps.
Alongside achieving carbon reduction, the authority acknowledges the importance of taking a leadership role within the community when it comes to these works. It also emphasises the wider impact through the upskilling of the workforce and generation of jobs within the community to support the work.
Credit: Saz Media
It’s been an exciting journey over the past couple of years to think about the level of investment that we’ve managed to secure, it’s been incredible.
Seeing everyone come together to share the lessons; to help each other along, I think it puts us in a really strong position to now achieve the targets that Greater Manchester has set itself.”
Under Phase 1 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Greater Manchester Combined Authority secured £78 million of capital funding, with approximately £53 million spent on four key measures that included heating, solar PV, LED lighting and insulation.
As a result of these works, the authority says almost £2 million of revenue saving was achieved across the estate with a 15% contribution towards its renewable energy generation target.
Another project undertaken is the Manchester Aquatic Centre, which initially opened in 2022 for the Commonwealth Games. As a regeneration project to decarbonise the building it benefited from £2.3 million of funding.
Installation works included fitting air source heat pumps to reduce energy consumed for heating the building and the swimming pools inside the building.
In addition to this, our team at Salix has delivered funding on behalf of the Department for solar panels and some of the building management systems.
Rochdale Council also received funding of £11 million which it invested in its Middelton Arena. The arena hosts a swimming pool, gymnasium and auditorium and is seen as an important venue for bringing the community together.
Works included the installation of air source heat pumps to replace the old gas boilers, LED lighting, solar PVs and an air lock system that have been put on the front doors.
The funding at Rochdale was also used for heat decarbonisation works across another 19 public sector buildings, including leisure centres and schools and is part of the council’s commitment to tackling climate change.
Fouad Amuni, programme manager at Salix said: "It's been a pleasure to work alongside Greater Manchester Combined Authority and witness their dedication to a low carbon future using funds delivered by Salix across all phases of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to date."
Credit: Saz Media
Greater Manchester Combined Authority was one of nine organisations interviewed in a 36-minute documentary celebrating progress towards a net zero public sector in England.
Thank you to Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Sean Owen for participating in this work.
You can watch the full documentary on our YouTube channel.
