Colchester Institute's multi-million pound eco-bid accepted

The college made a £3.7 million bid to the public sector decarbonisation scheme to help the energy efficiency at its site in Sheepen Road.

As one of the largest vocational training providers in north Essex, the site supports more than 8,000 further education, higher education and apprenticeship learners and will see a massive reduction in energy usage.

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As a result of a significant investment in green technologies, principal buildings housing subjects such as business, accounting and sport, as well as hair and beauty salon studies, will see an improvement in performance.

The bid, submitted in November last year, has been approved by Salix, on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

What Colchester Institute currently looks like

Initially supporting the replacement of gas fired boilers with air source heat pumps, further developments will see the replacement of single glazed Crittal windows and insulation panels throughout the main block.

Work will start almost immediately and run throughout the summer, in order to be completed by the start of the next academic year.

It is expected by using the latest heating technology, as well as improving the thermal properties of the buildings, the project will save over 1.5 million KwH (kilowatt hours) in energy consumption.

Gary Horne, executive vice principal at the college, said it was a “gamechanger,” adding: “It will greatly enhance the face of the college while also massively reducing energy consumption.

“We are hugely indebted to our bid development partners who acted so swiftly and we are also pleased to secure Cadman Construction, who have an in-depth knowledge of our buildings, to deliver the upgrades on behalf of the college.”

The college’s principal and chief executive Alison Andreas described the project as a real boost.

She added: “These buildings are at the forefront of our site and this will not only transform the external façade but, more importantly, it will dramatically improve the student experience once inside the classrooms, computer suites and salons.

“We have an ambition to support the Government’s carbon reduction targets as far as possible, and this project provides the perfect platform for us to take this forward.”