Bristol launches clean power hub for festivals

November 16, 2025

Major artists such as Billie Eilish, Neil Young, and leading global festivals are stepping up their sustainability efforts by turning to renewable energy for live events. Now, the movement is expanding even further in south-west England, where Bristol will launch a groundbreaking “clean power hub” next summer—designed to supply green energy to festivals, large concerts, and film productions.

This initiative is being hailed as the first project worldwide in which local authorities—Bristol City Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority—guarantee large-scale access to clean energy for creative events and touring artists.

Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer emphasized that achieving a carbon-neutral future requires action across every sector, including arts and culture.
“This initiative helps events transition away from diesel generators, improving air quality while cutting emissions,” he said.

West of England mayor Helen Godwin called the plan an exciting step forward:
“People here are passionate about both culture and the environment. Clean energy and the creative industries will be key growth areas for our region in the years ahead.”

Last summer, a Massive Attack–produced festival in Bristol demonstrated the impact of renewable energy when it ran entirely on battery power—resulting in the lowest-ever carbon footprint for an event of its kind.

The new clean power hub aims to scale this idea dramatically. Two Bristol sites will receive electricity from the National Grid using 100% renewable sources. The energy will be stored in mobile battery units that can be deployed to events as needed.

Mark Donne, lead producer for Act 1.5, the coalition of scientists, artists, and engineers behind the project, said no government or commercial group has ever attempted a clean-energy system of this size for the creative sector.

“It will supply clean, mobile power for an entire season of festivals, cultural events, and film and TV shoots,” Donne explained.

More than 20 events are expected to adopt power from the hub instead of relying on pollutant-heavy generators. Popular Bristol festivals such as Love Saves the Day and Forwards Bristol have already shown interest. While some organizers may be hesitant, Donne believes many can be convinced to transition gradually—using a hybrid of renewable and traditional power if needed.

Film and television productions, which flock to the south-west during summer, are also lining up. “Three major production companies have already committed to using the hub,” Donne said. “Two creative industries will be sharing this green infrastructure.”

Experts from Tyndall Manchester, a leading climate research center, will assess the long-term environmental impacts of the program. Donne expects the benefits for public health and the climate to be “extremely significant.”

“This is as much a clean-air initiative as it is a climate strategy—and it’s a global first for Bristol,” he added.