Surrey County Cricket Club and SSE Energy Solutions (SSE ES) have agreed a three-year extension to their partnership, with SSE ES becoming a Founding Partner of the Surrey women’s team. The partnership will see the Club progress on its journey to reach the ambitious target of net zero and see the Kia Oval become the most sustainable cricket ground in the world.
As part of the extended partnership, SSE Energy Solutions will become the Official Energy and Sustainability Partner of Surrey and the Kia Oval alongside being a Founding Partner of Surrey’s new professional women’s team. The Oval One stand, which was completed in 2021 at the Pavilion end of the ground, will be re-named the SSE Energy Solutions Stand and the energy company’s logo will also feature on the playing trousers of Surrey’s new, fully-professional women’s team.
SSE Energy Solutions are a leading provider of low-carbon energy solutions to businesses, supplying gas and electricity to almost 350,000 business premises across Great Britain. The energy company has also committed to investing £20.5bn in new low-carbon energy infrastructure by 2027.
Bringing in their industry expertise, SSE Energy Solutions will also undertake an energy audit and explore renewable energy options such as extending the Club’s existing solar assets. The focus will be on energy efficiency and reducing the direct emissions that result from the running of the Kia Oval in order to help the Club stride towards its ambitious goal of cutting 80% carbon emissions by 2030.
In addition, SSE Energy Solutions will also receive promotion opportunities on Surrey’s social media channels as well as in the ground, with the water foundations around the concourse being designed in SSE Energy Solutions branding. Furthermore, the two organisations will also come together to create fan-focused activities on match days and throughout the season to raise awareness and promote sustainability.
Steve Elworthy, CEO of Surrey County Cricket Club, said: “Our partnership got off to a strong start in 2024, and we’re thrilled to be batting for sustainability with SSE Energy Solutions for the years to come. They are an organisation who share our passion and vision for a more sustainable future.
“SSE Group are pioneers in providing low-carbon energy solutions. It is incredible to lean back on their support and expertise as we seek to progress on our sustainability journey and achieve our ambition of becoming the most sustainable cricket ground in the world. We’re really looking forward to growing our alliance and making an impact together.”
Speaking at a ‘Sustainability for Business’ event at the Kia Oval aimed at SMEs in Surrey’s supply chain network, Nikki Flanders, Managing Director at SSE Energy Solutions, said: “Building on the strong relationship with Surrey CCC during our first year as partners, we’re really looking forward to helping the club accelerate their sustainability journey over the next three years.
“At SSE Energy Solutions, we meet customers where they are on their sustainability journey, providing a range of options to suit their business needs. So, as part of our partnership, our business teams are working with Surrey CCC on identifying the right energy efficiency solutions for them, starting with undertaking an energy audit and exploring additional solar opportunities.
“It’s also really important to us to support Surrey’s wider business network and fanbase in their own sustainability journeys. We’ll continue to drive forward opportunities like this ‘Sustainability for Business’ event, to help others in their first steps identifying both the supply and energy efficiency opportunities that are right for their business.”
