Oak View shines light on Co-op Live’s electric credentials 

The 23,500-capacity Manchester venue will be the country’s first all-electric arena, according to the US developer. 

Oak View Group received planning consent last year to build the £350m Co-op Live in Manchester. The company is now delivering the project in joint venture with City Football Group, the global football organisation that counts Manchester City FC among its assets. Popstar Harry Styles also holds a minor stake in the scheme.

Work on the arena, designed by Populous, is ongoing with Bam Construction on course to complete the project in 2023. 

The venue is designed to become the UK’s most sustainable arena when it opens, Oak View said. 

Once operational the area will produce no food waste and won’t send any waste to landfill, according to the developer. 

In addition to being 100% electric, the arena will feature almost 100,000 sq ft of solar panels as well as air source heat pumps. 

There will be no gas supply to the venue and the technologies being used could achieve a 50% reduction in energy usage compared to a similar arenas, Oak View said. 

“Climate change is the single largest problem facing the planet today and we take our responsibility in creating a greener world seriously,” said Mark Donnelly, chief operating officer at OVG International. 

“We are building a planet-friendly venue as well as one capable of hosting the world’s best events.” 

The claims made about Co-op Live’s sustainability are in stark contrast to the site’s history. The arena is being constructed on the site of the former Bradford Colliery. 

Coal was mined on the site from at least the 17th century, and the colliery was active until 1968. 

Sustainability and carbon reduction have been under the spotlight in Place North West’s COP26 podcast series. 

The arena will feature almost 100,000 sq ft of solar panels. Credit: via Blakeney