Britain’s Energy Coast (BEC) has launched an open tender for find partners to help create a low-carbon microgrid at Westlakes Science and Technology Park in Cumbria.
The profit-for-purpose property company wants help to develop a “masterplan” for the two-square mile site near the town of Whitehaven, where more than 2,000 people currently work.
The park already has some small-scale renewable generation in place, but BEC wants this to become part of a larger mixed generation and storage portfolio providing power for a new microgrid.
“Given the commitment from the leadership team at Britain’s Energy Coast, Westlakes Science and Technology Park has the potential to become a beacon to science parks and estates across Europe,” said BEC head of funding and energy, Joe Martin.
“This is a unique opportunity for a talented organisation to partner with BEC to bring our low carbon plans to fruition.”
BEC chief executive Michael Pemberton added: “Bringing this type of distributed generation to the fore also has the capability to provided added benefits to the commercial residents of our site and the communities we serve in Allerdale and Copeland.
“We are seeking a dynamic and technically brilliant partner to help us develop our plans that bring about a step change in the way energy is sourced at Westlakes.”
BEC owns and operates the Westlakes Science and Technology Park and has a mission to bring regeneration to the area surrounding its Cumbrian headquarters through investments in property.
The company is jointly owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Copeland Borough Council, Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County Council.