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 to date, 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, 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 teachers and pupils to take charge of their environmental impact and write climate action plans.
We will be holding a Teams Meeting on Wednesday 19th November 9-10.30 am.
to explain what will happen next as we enter the delivery phase of the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme. The session will provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions from the Barker Consortium team.
Please join the session using the link below:
Solar PV Projects Update
We’re pleased to share, following a successful tender process via the CCS framework, contractors have now been appointed to deliver solar PV projects across the Southern schools/colleges in the programme.
The region has been split geographically as follows:
Southwest – Amelio
Southeast – Greenlight Engineering Limited
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.
Applications for Distribution Network Operator (DNO) approval and planning consent have been submitted where required, and we 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 (RBs) 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”
Click the link below:
Upcoming Webinars for Sustainability Leads
We wanted to give schools, trusts and responsible bodies a quick heads-up on an upcoming announcement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
The Department is planning to publicly share the full list of schools and College participating in the programme.
This announcement is expected to be made during the week commencing 17th November 2025.
We will keep you informed as more details are confirmed and will share links and key messages once the announcement goes live. In the meantime, please continue to direct any questions to the programme team.
GBESP - ICT Sustainability Power Hour
27th November | 14:00–15:00 (Online)
Did you know? ICT accounts for around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but this footprint can be reduced by up to 30% through smarter, more responsible consumption strategies.
With over 16.1 million computer users, England’s state-funded education sector represents one of the largest end-user computing communities in the world and has a huge opportunity to lead the change.
Join this one-hour online session to learn how your school or trust can cut ICT energy use, reduce costs, and lower carbon emissions while advancing your sustainability goals.
Hear from sector experts sharing real-world case studies (with energy savings of up to 65%) and explore DfE-endorsed tools and guidance to help embed sustainability into your ICT strategy and procurement processes.
Who should attend: IT leads, sustainability leads, senior leaders, and finance/procurement teams.
Register now to make your ICT smarter, greener, and more cost-effective:
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.