Bristol is set to become the first city globally to establish a dedicated “clean power hub” designed specifically for festivals and film crews. Launching in the summer of 2024, this initiative will enable events to draw on a guaranteed supply of clean energy, marking a significant step forward in sustainable event management.
The project, spearheaded by the Bristol City Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, aims to facilitate a transition away from fuel-driven generators, which contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Tony Dyer, leader of the Bristol City Council, emphasized that achieving carbon neutrality requires contributions from 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 announcement has been met with enthusiasm from local officials. Helen Godwin, the mayor of the West of England, remarked on the dual importance of clean energy and the creative industries, stating, “People across the west love culture and love our environment. Clean energy and the creative industries are both key growth sectors for us over the coming decade.”
The clean power hub builds on prior successes in the region. Last summer, a festival organized by the trip-hop group Massive Attack utilized battery power, achieving record-low carbon emissions for a similar event. The new hub will store electricity sourced from the National Grid, provided entirely by renewable suppliers, in an array of batteries. This energy will then be available for various events and productions throughout the region.
Mark Donne, lead producer at Act 1.5, a collaborative initiative involving artists, technicians, and scientists, highlighted the unprecedented nature of this project. “It’s essentially providing clean mobile power for an entire event season—festivals, other cultural events, and film and television productions,” he explained. Donne anticipates that over 20 events will utilize this clean energy source instead of traditional generators.
Several upcoming festivals, including Love Saves the Day in May and Forwards Bristol in August, have expressed interest in the power hub. While some event organizers may initially be hesitant, Donne believes a balance can be struck, suggesting a transition to a 50/50 model of clean and conventional power. “We’re realistic. Some people have long-running events and they have a formula, a way of working,” he acknowledged.
The initiative is also attracting attention from film and television production companies that frequent the region. Donne reported that “three big production companies” have confirmed their commitment to use the clean power hub, indicating strong support for this innovative approach.
The environmental and health impacts of the project are anticipated to be substantial. Experts from Tyndall Manchester, an organization focused on climate action and sustainability, will evaluate the outcomes of the initiative. “This is a clean-air strategy as well as a climate one, and a world-first for Bristol,” Donne concluded.
As Bristol prepares to launch this pioneering project, it sets a precedent for cities worldwide, showing that large-scale events can successfully operate on renewable energy, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the entertainment and cultural sectors.
