Bristol is set to launch a pioneering “clean power hub” next summer, aiming to provide renewable energy to festivals, large concerts, and film crews. This initiative, led by the Bristol City Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, is believed to be the first of its kind globally, guaranteeing a supply of clean power for artistic events.
Tony Dyer, leader of the Bristol City Council, emphasized that achieving carbon neutrality requires action across all sectors, including culture. He stated, “This is a welcome approach to exploring how we can support the events sector to move away from the use of fuel-driven generators, in turn improving air quality and lowering emissions.” The initiative reflects a growing commitment by artists worldwide, including Billie Eilish and Neil Young, to adopt sustainable practices in their performances.
Investing in Clean Energy
The clean power hub will harness electricity from the National Grid, supplied entirely by renewable sources. This energy will be stored in a network of batteries that can be transported to various event sites. Mark Donne, the lead producer of Act 1.5, a collective of artists, technicians, and scientists involved in the project, noted that this is an unprecedented scale of clean energy provision for events. He stated, “It’s essentially providing clean mobile power for an entire event season – festivals, other cultural events and film and television productions.”
The initiative aims to support over 20 events, reducing reliance on traditional generators, which are known to negatively impact both the environment and public health. Notable festivals such as Love Saves the Day, taking place in Bristol in May, and Forwards Bristol in August, have expressed interest in participating.
Encouraging Participation in Sustainability
While some event organizers may initially hesitate to fully adopt clean energy solutions, Donne believes a balanced approach of 50/50 clean and conventional power sources could ease this transition. “We’re realistic. Some people have long-running events and they have a formula, a way of working,” he remarked. The project has also engaged with several film and television production companies operating in the region, with three major firms confirming their intent to utilize the clean power hub.
The environmental and health benefits of this innovation are expected to be significant. Experts from Tyndall Manchester, an organization focused on climate action and sustainability, will evaluate the project’s impact on air quality and emissions. “This is a clean-air strategy as well as a climate one, and a world-first for Bristol,” Donne added.
As Bristol prepares to lead the way in sustainable event management, this clean power hub represents a crucial step towards a greener future in the arts and entertainment sectors.
