As the HALO Kilmarnock gears up to open next year, its partner Iberdrola’s ‘Moving for Climate NOW’ COP26 cycling event today (7th November) rolled in for a visit to the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre.
Moving for Climate NOW, an Iberdrola led event held at each COP, raises awareness of the need for urgent action to combat climate change. The team of 16 cyclists, including Gonzalo Saenz de Miera, Director of Climate Change at Iberdrola, have been cycling around Scotland during COP26.
Starting their four day journey in Edinburgh, the Iberdrola team travelled past the site of the former Longannet coal fired power station and visited the ScottishPower’s HQ in Glasgow, to demonstrate the rapid energy transition Iberdrola has made in the UK.
The cyclists stopped off at the HALO Kilmarnock before setting off on the next leg of the tour destined for Whitelee Wind Farm. Whitelee, owned by ScottishPower who are part of the Iberdrola Group, directly powers the HALO with 100% renewable energy.
Markie Macklin CBE, founder and executive chair of the HALO, welcomed the group to Kilmarnock where they enjoyed an energy roundtable discussion focusing on the local, national and international aspects of climate change and “recharging our town centres”.
The HALO is setting the standard for low carbon sites across the UK and the guests from Iberdrola were given a tour of the development’s low carbon innovations including its 150 rooftop solar panels, battery power storage, electric bike and car recharging stations and the HALO’s bespoke electric bus.
In partnership with ScottishPower, The HALO explores energy innovations for a lower carbon society and harness the utility’s business and technical expertise to support start-up and scale-up businesses located at the site.
Marie said: “Congratulations to everyone who has cycled the 300 kilometres as part of Iberdola’s ‘Moving for Climate NOW COP26’ bike ride, what an achievement.
“The Iberdrola group is a key partner for the HALO and I truly admire their world leading innovations and commitment to combating climate change.
“Following our discussions today on recharging our town centres I know that delivering net zero carbon energy at the HALO is not only an opportunity to create economic growth in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and across Scotland but to highlight the emergency we all face in climate change.”
The HALO Digital and Cyber Innovation Park includes:
- The HALO Enterprise & Innovation Centre a 50,000 sq ft low – a carbon BREEAM Excellent rated building .
- 210 innovative smart homes of the future fuelled by 100 per cent renewable energy and digital healthcare monitoring systems
- 40 Low carbon Live Work Units for entrepreneurs
- The HALO #Rockme Green Economy Cyber Research & Training Centre
- Light Manufacturing Low Carbon Zone
- Urban Eco Sports Park
- Children’s Innovation & Learning Hub
- VR Education & Gaming Hub
- Wave Surf Leisure & energy monitoring centre
- Digital High Street
- HALO low carbon EV transport hub.