Southampton's Ageas Bowl is changing its name as it embarks on a mission to become the world's greenest cricket ground.
From today the sport, music, and leisure venue at West End will be known as the Utilita Bowl as part of a ground-breaking, multi-year deal.
The home of Hampshire cricket has joined forces with Southampton-based Utilita Energy, the UK’s ninth-largest energy supplier.
It comes as West End residents fight proposals to build 171 homes, a 142-bed hotel and a 71-bed care home at the site.
Plans to make it a greener venue include more than 1,000 solar panels capable of generating around 25 per cent of the electricity used in the stadium each year.
It will save a six-figure sum each year in energy costs as well as 80 tonnes of carbon per year – the same level of emissions produced by driving 301,855 miles.
READ MORE: West End residents fight 'nightmare' plans for development plans at Ageas Bowl
David Mann, the venue's CEO, said: "We are delighted to partner with Utilita, a Hampsire-based business that shares our values and can help shape our vision of creating the greenest international cricket venue in the world.
"Together we can extend our efforts even further at a time when this help is needed more than ever.
"This is the dawn of a new era for the venue and we're excited by the possibilities this partnership will offer."
Bill Bullen, CEO at Utilita, added: "The cheapest and greenest energy is the energy we don't use, and that's exactly what this partnership is designed to do - cut energy usage.
"This support doesn't stop at the venue itself but is extended to the over half a million visitors who walk through the doors each year.
READ MORE: Ageas Bowl hotel and homes plan sparks more than 680 objections
"We will work closely with the venue to ensure they lead the way in becoming more sustainable across all aspects of their operations, from travel and match days to the day-to-day running of the ground and any ancillary developments.
"This truly is a unique, first-of-its-kind partnership in British sport."
George Walters, Chief Home Services Officer at Utilita, added: "Solar is one of the most effective ways a business can reduce its reliance on using electricity from the National Grid, of which around half is still generated using dirty fossil fuels.
"The solar array at Utilita Bowl will generate 381,829kwh per year, a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to a standard car driving the length of the UK 360 times - a trial of 301,855 miles.
"Solar is just the first step in enabling the venue to become net zero.
"This partnership will benefit from the learnings, results, and innovations created by Utilita's journey towards becoming a net zero business by 2030 - the most ambitious target across the UK retail energy sector."
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