How Carbon3 helped decarbonise one of the UK’s leading cricket grounds.
Why energy efficiency matters in sports stadiums:
Sports stadiums are some of the most energy-intensive venues in the commercial property sector. Between lighting, catering, hospitality suites, broadcasting, crowd control systems, and event-day operations, energy costs can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds per year. With rising electricity prices and increasing ESG expectations from sponsors, fans, and governing bodies, stadium operators must find smart ways to cut emissions without compromising the matchday experience.
That’s why forward-thinking venues like the our client, the sponsor of a cricket stadium in Hampshire, have decided to lead the industry by adopting renewable energy.
The project: decarbonising the stadium
Carbon3 was selected to help the stadium take its first major step toward becoming the world’s greenest cricket ground. Working closely with the stadium’s leadership, Carbon3 delivered a large-scale solar PV and EV charging programme that reduces both operational costs and carbon emissions.
How it works:
The solar PV array delivers enough renewable energy to fully cover matchday electricity demand, meaning the stadium’s most energy-intensive events are now effectively powered by the sun for free!
Meanwhile, the new EV charging stations, supported by Carbon3’s smart management system, enable fans, staff, and partners to charge vehicles on-site at the stadium’s hotel. Through the Carbon3 EV back-office system, stadium managers can:
- Monitor energy use and costs in real time
- Assign custom tariffs for staff, public, or VIPs
- Offer multiple payment types (RFID, contactless, in-app)
- Generate ESG reports to support sponsorship and compliance requirement
The delivery:
Carbon3 delivered this multi-site project in phases, stand by stand, progressing around the venue. Over 600 panels were also installed across the stadium’s hotel roof, ensuring the on-site hotel benefits from renewable power as part of the stadium’s wider decarbonisation programme.
The EV chargers installed at the hotel also run using energy generated by the solar PV panels, effectively providing vehicle charging at no cost to the client. The 22kW EV chargers were selected as they can charge a vehicle over a few hours – ideal for clients watching the game or staying overnight at the hotel.
All work was completed with minimal disruption to stadium operations, which is essential for venues hosting regular matches, training sessions, and hospitality events.
Why this matters for stadium asset managers:
For stadium and arena operators, rising energy costs are a financial and reputational risk. Fans, sponsors, and sports authorities increasingly expect venues to take visible action on sustainability. Renewable energy investments like solar PV and EV charging infrastructure help venues:
- Reduce operational expenditure
- Improve ESG performance for sponsorship and compliance
- Futureproof against rising grid prices
- Enhance the venue’s public reputation as a sustainability leader
Looking to decarbonise your stadium or sports venue?
Carbon3 provides full-service renewable energy solutions, from solar and EV charging to long-term O&M, tailored for the operational needs of sports and entertainment spaces. Email us now for a no-obligation quote at info@carbon3.co.uk.
