The University of Bradford and SSE Energy Solutions join forces to promote green technology and skills development

The University of Bradford has signed a strategic partnership with energy infrastructure expert SSE Energy Solutions to collaborate on education, research and the implementation of sustainable energy initiatives.

The partnership aims to leverage the expertise and resources of both organizations to enhance educational opportunities, encourage cutting-edge research and explore innovative solutions to address the university’s energy supply and decarbonisation goals. The collaboration will also focus on developing a student and graduate talent pool with the skills to enable West Yorkshire and the UK to become leading net carbon economies.

As part of SSE’s commitment to promoting a fair and just energy transition, the company will work closely with Bradford University to foster strong regional relationships and contribute to the economic growth of the West Yorkshire region as part of its social value strategy to create sustainable cities and communities.

The strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) will also seek to challenge inequality through inclusive recruitment practices and initiatives that promote diversity in the energy sector. This includes inspiring low-carbon career education by providing students with opportunities to engage in real-world sustainable energy projects and gain valuable industry experience.

SSE is a member of the West Yorkshire Mayoral Green Task Force, which aims to create green jobs and skills for young people and brings together experts from business, education and training, as well as the third and public sectors.

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said:

“We are delighted to sign this new partnership with SSE, which aims to further develop innovation in green technologies, something we are passionate about at the university.

“We are committed to taking action on sustainability and decarbonisation on our own campus, while enabling the development of green skills, jobs and technologies, working closely with the West Yorkshire Mayoral Green Task Group.

“We are delighted to establish this partnership and look forward to working with SSE on a range of green opportunities.”

Neil Kirkby, Managing Director of Enterprise at SSE Energy Solutions, said:

“Strategic collaborations such as our agreement with the University of Bradford are crucial to driving the transition to a sustainable energy future. Using our combined expertise and resources, we can accelerate innovation, create skilled jobs and unlock the potential of clean energy as a lever for regional growth.

“This partnership is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration in addressing the critical challenges of climate change and shaping a net zero future for generations to come. We invite other organizations to join us on this vital journey and look forward to further discussions on driving sustainable economic growth at the upcoming UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds this week.”

The agreement was officially signed by representatives of the University of Bradford and SSE on Thursday 16 May.

Source: https://www.sse.com/