Why Ageas Bowl cricket ground has been renamed Utilita Bowl

Now known as the Utilita Bowl, it has joined forces with Southampton-based Utilita Energy, the UK's ninth-largest energy supplier, as its new naming rights partner.

Plans to make it a greener venue include installing more than 1,000 solar panels capable of generating around 25 per cent of the electricity used in the stadium each year.

This will be more than enough to cover electricity consumed during match days.

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.

Southampton's Ageas Bowl has embarked on a mission to become the greenest cricket ground in the world (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Ageas Bowl has a new name as it bids to become 'world's greenest cricket venue'

Speaking to the Echo, David Mann, CEO at Utilita Bowl, said: “We have been partners with Utilita for several years, but this takes it to a new level and it really gives us a lot of exciting possibilities.

“We have made an aspiration to become the greenest cricket stadium in the world.

"Everyone talks about sustainability, but we wanted to do something ground-breaking that broke the mould.

"So what we’re announcing is the installation of a thousand solar panels on the roof of the hotel in our venue.

“That is something that hasn’t been done before in English cricket ground."

He added: “We’re going to work with Utilita now to make a radical difference to our carbon footprint which the panels will help do.”

Bill Bullen, CEO at Utilita, said the partnership was 'a unique, first-of-its-kind partnership in British sport' and said it was small step against the 'woeful' journey towards carbon neutralisation globally so far.

George Walters, Chief Home Services Officer at Utilita, added: "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."

The multi-year agreement will cover a unique period in the history of the venue, which will see the Utilita Bowl host 19 international cricket fixtures from 2025 to 2031.

This includes both a Men’s Ashes Test in 2027 and a Women’s Ashes Test in 2031.

In addition to being the home of Hampshire cricket, is also a live music venue which has hosted some of the world’s leading artists including Arctic Monkeys, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Oasis.