Several recent production used renewable energy as part of initiative

TBY2's 1MWp solar array (image courtesy of The Bottle Yard Studios)_1

Bristol-based Bottle Yard Studios is taking part in the West of England Clean Power Pilot. 

This has seen several productions take advantage of renewable energy sources added to the facility, including a 200kVA battery hub installed in its backlot. Mavis Ecclestone (ITV), Young Sherlock series 2 (Prime Video) and Can You Keep A Secret? series 2 (BBC) have all done this. 

Bottle Yard already had a large solar power array installed in 2022, which you can see above. 

Local music festivals FORWARDS and Love Saves The Day are also taking part in the scheme, which is a collaborative partnership between the West of England Mayor, the UN affi liated ACT1.5 project, multiple clean power providers, Team Love (FORWARDS and Love Saves the Day) & the Bottle Yard Studios. It is also supported by Bristol City Council and Arts Council England,

The overall aim of the pilot is to guarantee clean power to productions and festivals in the region. 

Helen Godwin – Mayor of the West of England, said: “After another exceptionally hot and dry summer, everyone can see how our climate is changing. Here in the West of England, we’ve brought together our brilliant creative industries and clean energy sectors to try to help tackle the climate crisis and clean up our air.

“Our Clean Power Pilot, funded through my Green Energy Fund, has turned off diesel generators and powered up renewably fuelled batteries at live events and screen productions. As we work together with ACT 1.5 and partners across our region and beyond, and build on what we’ve learned, I hope that we can show that a greener future is not just possible but underway.” 

Katherine Nash, head of studios at Bottle Yard, said: “We are delighted to have the Battery Hub for the West of England Clean Power Pilot based at the studio. This innovative project has brought together multiple progressive partners to put clean temporary power within realistic, achievable reach of all filming teams and live event producers across our entire region and it has enabled us to significantly advance our sustainability ambitions.

“The pilot is a game changer for sustainable production on location, and as its charging facilities are also now directly available to all film/TV production teams working on site at The Bottle Yard, it enables us as a film studio to offer an entirely generator-free experience to film/TV production clients who are serious about pushing the boundaries of what’s truly achievable in terms of sustainable production.”