Welcome to the GBESP Programme
We are excited to be working with you on the GB Energy Solar Partnerships Programme (GBESP), a mission to support schools/colleges in meeting the net zero challenge and help the next generation to lead the way in climate change action.
The Department for Education’s GB Energy Solar Partnerships Programme (GBESP) is a national initiative designed to help schools and colleges cut carbon emissions, generate clean energy, and make long-term financial savings. Building on the success of the Net Zero Accelerator Programme, GBESP focuses on practical, high-impact measures such as solar PV installation, LED lighting, heating and insulation improvements, and energy-smart controls.
This ambitious programme directly supports the Government’s net zero by 2050 target, while also reducing annual energy costs across the education estate, which currently exceed £1.8 billion. By installing renewable energy systems and improving efficiency, schools are already seeing lower bills, greater resilience, and even periods of being “off-grid” during the day.
Beyond technology, GBESP also inspires behaviour change, energy awareness, and climate education, empowering staff and students to lead the way in sustainability. By combining technical expertise with curriculum-linked resources, the programme enables schools to become energy-resilient, future-ready institutions at the heart of their communities.
The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned LocatED, the government's education property experts, to create and run GBESP. LocatED subsequently selected the Barker Consortium, with its team of net zero experts, to work with your school/college.
These experts are working with schools and colleges to:
Enable climate resilience by reducing harmful carbon emissions across your buildings.
Make cost savings for your school by reducing energy consumption.
Reduce waste inefficiency in your school.
Create shared learning experiences for your staff and pupils on climate action.
Thank you for your continued support, especially in accommodating site visits over the Summer break, which has been invaluable in moving the programme forward.
GBESP Has Quickly Gained Momentum
Members of the Barker Consortium have been visiting your school/college and gathering data over the summer period, to kick start the GBESP. This progress will enable the team to begin reviewing energy usage, check heating and lighting controls, assess performance of boilers and audit the condition of building insulation, all in readiness to produce the Heat Decarbonisation Plan for the site, providing a plan for accelerating to net zero.
Engineers have also started capturing 3-D images of school buildings to create a comprehensive Building Information Model (BIM) of all buildings and infrastructure assets to track and monitor energy operation efficiency.
There are more visits planned, including workshops where our colleagues at Let's Go Zero will empower students and staff to take charge of their environmental impact and write climate action plans.
We held a Teams Meeting on Thursday 21st August to explain what will happen next as we enter the delivery phase of the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme. The session provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions from the Barker Consortium team, and to meet colleagues from LocatED who are responsible for the delivery of the programme on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Department for Education.
A recording of the meeting is available for those who were unable to attend. please click on the link below to view:
LocatED Meeting Recording - 21st August 2025
Much more is planned over the coming months, please click the link below to the GBSEP Delivery Phase Overview:
Solar PV Projects Update
We’re pleased to share, following a successful tender process via the CCS framework, three contractors have now been appointed to deliver solar PV projects across the Northwest schools/colleges in the programme.
The region has been split geographically as follows:
Lot 1 – Liverpool Region: Amelio
Lot 2 – Manchester Region: NPS Ltd
Lot 3 – Lancashire & other areas outside Liverpool/Manchester: Greenlight Engineering Ltd
If you’re unsure which region your school/college falls under, please contact Helen Purssord at hpurssord@barker-associates.co.uk. This will also be confirmed directly by the Barker Project Team.
The Barker Project Team will continue to contact schools/colleges and local teams (as identified via the returned questionnaires) to support contractor access and finalise Solar PV designs. Once designs are completed and approved for funding by DfE/LocatED, the next step will be to issue Funding Agreement Letters (FALs) and JCT contracts via DocuSign. Please ensure these are reviewed, signed, and returned promptly so projects can move forward without delay.
We have already secured DNO approval and planning consent where required, and will work closely with schools/colleges to ensure any necessary Diocese or Landlord consents are also in place.
A formal Pre-Start Meeting will be scheduled with all relevant parties before works begin. This will cover programme timings, site logistics, scaffolding plans, and access arrangements.
We would be grateful if all Responsible Bodies (RB's) and schools could respond to requests for signed LoA's as soon as possible. This is to enable the collection of data relating to energy and water consumption, and in addition to facilitate the necessary DNO consents relating to potential solar PV projects, many thanks for your cooperation.
Follow the link below to our Procurement Update, providing key information on the procurement process relating to the solar PV projects, including procurement route, process, evaluation and outcome”
Upcoming Webinars for Sustainability Leads
We are pleased to share two upcoming webinars designed to support Sustainability Leads in their role:
Getting You Started – Tuesday 14th October, 3:30–4:30pm Register here
Energy Saving – Wednesday 5th November, 3:30–4:30pm Register here
These sessions will provide practical guidance, tips, and insights to help you make an impact in your school’s sustainability journey.
Thank you for your support in helping us work towards a greener, more energy-conscious future.
We’re Just An Email Away
If you have any questions about the project, including the appointments scheduled at your school/college, please don't hesitate to email us.