Arsenal signs up renewable experts as official energy partner

Arsenal Football Club has unveiled a new marque signing, as the UK's largest solar energy investor becomes the club's official UK energy partner in a move that will see the Emirates Stadium powered by renewable energy.


The London-based club will partner with Octopus Energy to develop a long-term plan to source renewable power supplies to the club – including its 60,000-seater stadium – as well as offering a new renewable electricity tariff to UK-based Arsenal supporters.

Arsenal’s chief commercial officer Vinai Venkatesham told the club’s website: “We are delighted to be partnering with Octopus Energy, who become our first official energy partner. This partnership with Octopus is a positive step towards improving our contribution to environmental sustainability. We will be working closely with them to develop renewable power supplies, as well as providing special offers for Arsenal fans in the UK. We look forward to supporting Octopus Energy in the growth of their business.”

As part of the partnership, Octopus Energy will receive branding rights for all domestic fixtures played at the Emirates in an attempt to broaden the company’s reach. Since Octopus Energy launched to consumers in April earlier this year, it has signed-up more than 40,000 energy accounts to a “fair pricing” 100% renewable tariff commitment.

“Becoming Arsenal’s first energy partner is a massive step for us in championing greener, fairer energy for Britain,” Octopus Energy’s Greg Jackson said. “We are thrilled to be working with the club to switch Emirates Stadium to green energy.

“We are passionate that greener energy is critical to the future of our planet, and for many people can be cheaper than with big energy companies. Arsenal and Octopus are both leaders in their fields, and we look forward to working closely together to take this message to their fans and the wider football audience.”

Gunning for green

Arsenal’s move to the Emirates Stadium saw a raft of new sustainability measures implemented, including the use of voltage optimisation equipment and LED lights which have reduced power use by up to 20%.

The stadium’s recycling policy sees waste minimisation across the club, as well as the recycling of plastic and glass for fans on matchdays. The club says it recycles an average of 10 tonnes of cardboard and plastic, as well as diverting 1.5 tonnes of glass from landfill, per match. During the process of building the new stadium, the club also invested £390m into a redevelopment programme for the surrounding area, which included a new £60m Waste Recycling Centre.

The club’s former midfielder Mathieu Flamini is also making waves in the low-carbon market, after revealing an eight-year secret plan that has seen him set up a market-leading biofuel technology firm in a sector worth up to £20bn.

The French footballer set up GF Biochemicals in 2008, and it is reportedly a leader in developing levulinic acid (LA) – a green alternative to oil that can be used in biofuels, cosmetics, plastics and food preservatives.

Matt Mace

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