Making a better tomorrow – Plans launched for the decarbonisation of Stakehill Industrial Estate

Posted by on 28 Feb 2024

A consortium led by Rochdale Development Agency and made up of SSE Energy Solutions, the Energy Innovation Agency (part of The Growth Company), Rochdale Borough Council and Stakehill BID Ltd, with support from the University of Manchester and asset owners UBS will work with tenants on Stakehill Industrial estate to produce a local industrial decarbonisation plan (LIDP).

The collaboration will leverage world-class expertise and intelligence to develop a strategic decarbonisation plan that will set out how the estate will realise Greater Manchester’s ambitions to be net zero by 2038.

It is hoped that during the year long programme, in 2024, Stakehill will become a living lab to develop practical and innovative ways to deliver local industrial decarbonisation measures.

Nathan Sanders, SSE Energy Solutions, Distributed Energy, Managing Director said: “As a passionate advocate for delivering net zero solutions, SSE is excited to join this project and collaborate with stakeholders to create sustainable pathways for decarbonising the Stakehill Industrial Estate. This initiative aligns with Greater Manchester’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2038, and we are dedicated to playing a pivotal role in making this vision a reality.”

David Schiele, Director of the Energy Innovation Agency said: “This exciting project supports our existing mission to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions in Greater Manchester and the clean energy transition and is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the power of collaboration in overcoming many of the barriers to decarbonisation faced by business. The project will enable Stakehill and other industrial estates to decarbonise more rapidly and become more sustainable, competitive and prosperous.”

As Stakehill benefits from a Business Improvement District (BID), the project will also offer a blue print for future industrial estates and business parks in the area and across the UK to work together to produce decarbonisation plans.

Councillor Philip Massey, Stakehill BID board member said, “This project highlights Rochdale’s commitment to take the lead on sustainable initiatives, and demonstrates our commitment to working cooperatively with businesses and other partner organisations for the benefit of our residents and environment.”

Moving beyond solely considering energy use, the project will have an emphasis on circular economy principles. This will include resource efficiency, waste reduction and recycling measures to explore how the carbon footprint of industrial processes can be minimised. There will also be a particular focus on the use of smart machinery to create innovative solutions to decarbonise the estate.

Anthony Smith, Chair of the Stakehill BID said: “As Stakehill BID Chairman, I’m thrilled to announce our pivotal role in the Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan for Stakehill Industrial Estate. Partnering with Rochdale Development Agency, SSE Utilities Solutions Ltd, Energy Innovation Agency, and Rochdale Borough Council, the BID serves as a driving force in fostering a sustainable business environment. This collaboration promises businesses on the estate a pathway to thrive in a greener future, simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint and ensuring long-term competitiveness.”

The Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (LIDP) is funded by Innovate UK. Stakehill Industrial Estate is one of a number of programmes across the UK that is benefiting from Government support for industrial manufacturers to develop plans to reduce emissions and avoid carbon leakage. Supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) £6 million is being invested in place-based industrial decarbonisation plans for sites not located within the UK’s existing industrial clusters.

Assistant to Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Environment, Councillor Tricia Ayrton said: “Rochdale’s dedication to spearheading sustainable initiatives is underscored by this project, showcasing our collaborative efforts with businesses and partner organisations for the betterment of our community.”

The production of the Stakehill LIDP falls in line with the bold ambitions of Rochdale Borough Council, which in 2019 declared a climate emergency, this was followed closely by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester setting ambitions for the wider Greater Manchester region to become carbon-neutral by 2038, 12 years ahead of the national target.

Stakehill Industrial Estate is one of three locations that make up the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone which was recently announced as being part of Greater Manchester’s strategically important Investment Zone. Once fully developed, 20,000 jobs, 7,000 new homes and 17 million square feet of industrial floorspace will be realised across three local authorities: Bury, Rochdale and Oldham