Gateshead Metrocentre announces new phase for “ambitious” £2.8m sustainability project

Metrocentre Gateshead today announces that stage two of its “ambitious” solar panel project is underway, with installation completion expected by December 2022.

The second phase of the development, which aims to ensure a more sustainable future for Metrocentre, sees the installation of solar PV carports and 46 new EV charging ports in the Green and Blue Mall car parks, following the recent installation of its brand new solar PV rooftop panels covering an area equivalent in size to 88 tennis courts.

With the 46 new EV charging bays delivered and the solar panels fitted above each parking bay, this will allow the retail and leisure destination to provide emissions-free ‘fuel’ for 7,230 electric car miles by the end of the year.

Metrocentre is working with specialist renewable energy and green technology consultant, Syzygy to complete the £2.8m project and is one of the unique schemes to be granted ERDF funding for 50 per cent of the total cost of the project.

It’s estimated that the electricity generated from the solar panel installation will result in a reduction of 315 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, equal to planting 32,500 trees over the system’s 25 Year Lifetime.

Switching to solar energy will also reduce Metrocentre’s grid dependency by 30 per cent, offsetting more than 37 per cent of its total annual electricity use with its own low carbon supply.

Ben Cox of Sovereign Centros, senior asset Manager for Metrocentre, commented: “This is a really important milestone for us as we head into the next phase of our solar panel project with Syzygy.

“It’s been inspiring watching stage one progress and come to life and we are very excited about the new opportunities we will soon be able to offer our customers.

“A solar panel and carport installation of this size has never been seen before in a UK shopping centre and upon completion of the project later this year, Metrocentre will have the largest solar panel installation of any UK shopping centre.

“We know Gateshead has an ambitious plan to go zero carbon by 2030, so we are proud to be actively working towards this common goal to bring renewable energy to the local community. The project plays a large role in our long-term business strategy for the centre which focuses on sustainability and our place in the region.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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