Groundbreaking ceremony marks major step towards net zero at Aston University
Work starts on new Carbon Neutral Energy Centre where ground and air source heat pumps will replace university’s gas-fired system and support a low carbon district heating network
An exciting clean energy project has started on Aston University’s Carbon Neutral Energy Centre which aims to transform how power is generated and used across the university.
We couldn’t wait to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the energy centre on campus - marking the start of the construction phase.
It is the first project in the university’s 2025-30 Climate Action & Carbon Management Plan to modernise the campus’ infrastructure, strengthening energy resilience and accelerating the university’s journey to net zero.
During the event we got a chance to have a look at how work is progressing at the university which has been supported by £35.5 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme delivered by our teams at Salix. We have been working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the university to deliver the project.
pictured from left; Simon Pettett, Salix; Krutika Ganeru, Aston University; Hira Raashid, Salix; Craig Jones, Aston University; Councillor Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council; Lloyd Ross, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Dr Jason Wouhra, Aston University
photo credit: Aston University
Partnerships such as our work with Aston University demonstrate what is possible, transforming entire estates, accelerating progress towards net zero, and creating models that can be replicated across the wider public sector.
Programme coordinator at Salix Hira Raashid works closely with the university. She said: “At Salix, we are proud to support major decarbonisation projects by bringing together government funding, technical expertise, and robust delivery assurance.”
As well as our team, including Hira and assistant director of programmes Simon Pettett, the event was attended by Councillor Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport at Birmingham City Council, Craig Jones, Aston University interim chief executive officer and Lloyd Ross, senior policy advisor and communications manager at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
In the new Carbon Neutral Energy Cente, ground and air source heat pumps will replace Aston University’s current gas‑fired system and support a low‑carbon district heating network. Gas equipment in the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and Aston Day Hospital will also be removed, with these buildings connected to the new energy centre.
In addition, insulation improvements to Conference Aston and the main building is expected to boost thermal performance and cut heating demand. Together, the university says these measures will greatly reduce campus emissions and improve energy efficiency, supporting Aston’s wider sustainability goals.
Aston University expects to reduce scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (those from fuels such as gas in heating systems, and indirect emissions, for example from the university’s purchase of electricity, respectively) by more than 90% compared to the 2005/06 baseline.
In its 2030 Climate Action Plan, Aston committed to being net zero by 2030 for scope 1 and 2 emissions. The Carbon Neutral Energy Centre will achieve this by 2028, two years ahead of the original target.
Meanwhile, work is also being carried out to meet the university’s target of net zero for scope 3 emissions – indirect emissions that come, for example, from purchased goods, business travel, suppliers’ emissions and waste disposal by 2040.
The Carbon Neutral Energy Centre and building insulation projects form Aston’s Energy Resilience Programme. This aims to create a future-ready, low-carbon campus.
Aston has already delivered a range of energy efficiency projects. These include solar panel installations, LED lighting upgrades, building management system improvements, and district heat network expansion to Conference Aston and the Aston Business School building.
The Carbon Neutral Energy Centre is a core piece of green infrastructure supporting the ambition to create a city-scale innovation district within the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter.
This £35.5 million grant from the Department to Aston University through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is a testament to not just the university’s ambition but also the shared confidence in the ability for them to deliver and achieve net zero by 2028 – two years earlier than planned.
Delivering through local partnerships and incorporating the wider community into the project through continued knowledge and information sharing demonstrates how Higher Education institutions like Aston can be trailblazers for their communities and public assets on their decarbonisation journeys.
Aston University interim chief executive officer Craig Jones, said: “This project is a major milestone for Aston University, underpinning our commitment to environmental stewardship and energy resilience. The new Carbon Neutral Energy Centre will significantly improve how we power and heat our campus. We are proud of our teams and grateful to our partners as we move forward in delivering this transformational project.”
Senior policy advisor for public sector decarbonisation at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Lloyd Ross, said: “This £35.5 million grant from the Department to Aston University through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is a testament to not just the university’s ambition but also the shared confidence in the ability for them to deliver and achieve net zero by 2028 – two years earlier than planned.
“Delivering through local partnerships and incorporating the wider community into the project through continued knowledge and information sharing demonstrates how Higher Education institutions like Aston can be trailblazers for their communities and public assets on their decarbonisation journeys.”
Councillor Mahmood said: “The Energy Resilience Programme is a perfect example of partners playing a transformative role in accelerating local climate action. It is a long-term civic investment that strengthens Birmingham’s resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability for generations to come.”
Hira Raashid added: “Partnerships such as our work with Aston University demonstrate what is possible, transforming entire estates, accelerating progress towards net zero, and creating models that can be replicated across the wider public sector. As their relationship manager, I am delighted to be working alongside the team on this exciting journey and look forward to supporting the successful delivery of their ambitious plans.”
Drift Services Group is the principal contractor for the project, responsible for drilling and test pumping the entire borehole network.
