News Story

August 2011
Co-operative Group Opts for LowC’s Renewable CHP at New Headquarters

The Co-operative Group has specified LowC’s cutting-edge liquid biofuel combined heat and power (CHP) system – Agri ElectroGen - to power its brand new headquarters in Manchester city centre. The system, which comprises of two 397kWe CHP units, will provide electricity, heating and hot water, plus chilled water for use in the building’s air conditioning system.

This choice of pure plant oil (PPO), a green fuel which will be locally grown, underpins the Group’s stated aim of leading on environmental issues – creating one of the most sustainable commercial buildings in Europe and one of the UK’s first designated as ‘outstanding’ under BREEAM – with a Display Energy Certificate rating of A.

Richard Griffin, chief executive of LowC Communities Ltd. said: “We are delighted to be the Co-operative Group’s supplier of choice for this high-profile renewable energy project. A liquid biofuel CHP solution is the perfect alternative to fossil fuels; it is sustainable - as there is a steady supply from farms all over the United Kingdom; it’s absorbed carbon dioxide whilst growing – so it’s inherently ‘green’ and, perhaps most importantly, it’s economically viable – for both ends of the supply chain meaning that the rural economy will benefit.”

“This system, coupled with all of the other carbon-reducing initiatives that the Co-operative Group has adopted, will result in extraordinarily-low levels of greenhouse gas emissions. What’s more, it will also introduce the very first renewable energy generation into the £800 million NOMA (North Manchester) regeneration zone that is set to transform 20 acres of Manchester City Centre’s heartland.”

The chosen biofuel is accredited as renewable by Ofgem, so the new CHP system will qualify for double ROCs (Renewables obligation certificates) providing more than £600k additional annual revenue for the Group.

Griffin continued: “It’s worth noting that this is not biodiesel. In the majority of cases, biodiesel is not a 100-per-cent renewable fuel, as the manufacturing process often uses fossil-fuel-derived components. There are other liquid biofuels that are imported into the UK – such as palm oil - but these type of oils have, in many cases, been linked many social and environmental problems – including deforestation. That’s of course not forgetting the carbon emissions from shipping fuels many thousands of miles across the globe.”

Due for completion in 2012, the 15-storey building – being constructed by main contractor, BAM Construction - will become home to more than 3,000 employees working across the Group’s family of retailing and financial services businesses. LowC Communities Ltd is supplying the CHP system via the project’s mechanical and electrical contractor, Rotary North West.