Buckinghamshire College Group leads by example with major green energy transformation

We find out more about a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project and hear how energy efficiency and low-carbon heating upgrades are making a difference

A Buckinghamshire college that is helping train the next generation of green energy engineers has undergone a major sustainability transformation of its own.

Buckinghamshire College Group has been awarded £1,840,586 through Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, funding a wide-ranging programme of energy efficiency and low-carbon heating upgrades at its Aylesbury Campus.

We’ve been working with the college to deliver the project and used a recent site visit to see for ourselves how the project has progressed.

Salix colleagues Beth Thompson, Jude Bywater, Hayley Bristow-Grant and Zoe Hurst attended the visit to meet the people behind the work.

They were able to meet college chief operating officer John McGrath, head of estates and health and safety Debbie Midson-Brown, also campus manager Matthew Churchill, as well as operations director Mark Walden from Our MEP Co.

The investment is designed to reduce the college's carbon emissions while creating a more sustainable learning environment for thousands of students. 

It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 338 tonnes per annum and save £1.7m over a 10 period.

What they’ve done

The grant, delivered by our teams at Salix, has meant traditional fossil fuel heating systems have been replaced with modern low-carbon alternatives, including the installation of ten air source heat pumps and six water source heat pumps. 

The campus has also benefited from energy-efficient LED lighting and new solar panels, helping to reduce both energy consumption and long-term operating costs.

In total around 1,302 lights have been placed with LED.

During our visit to the campus, we were given a behind-the-scenes look at the new technologies and how they are already making a difference.

The 1.68MW of air source heat pumps have been neatly placed on ground level alongside the building, with the water source heat pumps positioned within the existing plantroom and the 830 solar panels generating 486,023 kWh per annum cover a large part of the roof.

John McGrath said: “This project has been incredibly important in ensuring our college is fit for the future. Not only are we reducing our carbon footprint, but we're creating a more energy-efficient and sustainable environment for our students and staff.”

He said that the project, now complete, has gone smoothly thanks to good communications with the college team and external contractors. However, they still need to have a full winter to test the real impact of the new heat pumps.

Vital green skills

The college’s transformation comes at a time when demand for green skills is growing rapidly. As the UK works towards its legally binding target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, industry leaders have repeatedly warned of a shortage of workers with the specialist skills needed to deliver the transition.

Buckinghamshire College Group is helping address that challenge through courses that give students hands-on experience with renewable energy systems, low-carbon heating technologies and modern engineering practices.

Although the college offers a whole range of courses from animal care, media, art, design and photography, childcare, business and more – it can now boast an energy efficient campus to teach the technical skills for the future.

Every day the college is training the next generation of engineers, electricians and renewable energy specialists who will go on to install and maintain these technologies across the country.

Students are learning about technologies that are expected to become increasingly common in homes, businesses and public buildings over the coming decades, including heat pumps, solar power generation, energy-efficient electrical systems and smart building technologies.

Exposing students to real-world installations on their own campus provides a unique learning opportunity.

The students can see the technology operating in a live environment, helping bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical engineering experience.

Collaboration is key

Contractor Mark Walden has worked closely with the college over the last two years to ensure the technology operates efficiently.

“There has been a lot of logistical planning in changing the systems, and you cannot underestimate the planning that goes into this.

“Collaboration has also been important and ensuring that work has been communicated to those involved.”

Experts believe the transition to cleaner energy will create thousands of jobs in sectors ranging from construction and manufacturing to electrical engineering and environmental technologies. This puts the students at the college in a positive position for the future.

Our Salix programme co-ordinator Beth Thompson has been working with the college to support its decarbonisation journey.

Beth said: “This project finished on time this year (March 2026) and it’s been a very well organised set up.

“It is great to see the enthusiasm for the work here and how it will positively impact the buildings, ensuring the generations to come can work in and enjoy a comfortable environment. It’s been highly inspirational to visit the college.”

The college hopes its decarbonisation investment will not only reduce emissions but also inspire students to pursue careers at the forefront of the UK’s green industrial revolution.

Thank you to the Buckinghamshire College Group team for hosting our visit, we wish you all the best with your next steps.