Hampshire CCC home ground gets new name

West End, Hampshire-based Rose Bowl has been rebranded as the “Utilita Bowl” following a multi-year partnership agreement between Utilita Energy and Hampshire County Cricket Club, for whom it serves as the home ground. 

Utilita, as per the “pro-planet” Official Naming Rights Partnership agreement, will be installing more than 1,000 solar panels at the Bowl, which will help it save “a six figure sum each year in electricity costs – as well as 80 tonnes of carbon per year – the same level of emissions produced by driving 301,855 miles in the average passenger vehicle”. Utilita aims to make the ground the “world’s greenest cricket ground” over the course of the partnership.

David Mann, CEO, Utilita Bowl, commented:

“We’re delighted to partner with Utilita, a Hampshire based business who share our values and can now help shape our vision of creating the greenest international cricket venue in the world. As two organisations who already play a major role in helping to add value to our local communities through our respective foundations, together we can extend our efforts even further at a time when this help is needed more than ever. This is the dawn of a new era for the venue, and we’re excited by the possibilities this partnership will offer.“

Bill Bullen, CEO, Utilita, said:

“The cheapest and greenest energy is the energy we don’t use, and that’s exactly what this partnership is designed to do – cut energy usage. This support doesn’t stop at the venue itself but is extended to the over half a million visitors who walk through its doors each year.We will work closely with the venue to ensure they lead the way in becoming more sustainable across all aspects of their operations: from travel and match days, to the day-to-day running of the ground and any ancillary developments. This truly is a unique, first-of-its-kind partnership in British sport.“

George Walters, Chief Home Services Officer, Utilita, added:

“Solar is the one of the most effective ways that a business can reduce its reliance on using electricity from the National Grid, of which around half is still generated using dirty fossil fuels. The solar array at Utilita Bowl will generate 381,829kwh per year, which is a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to a standard car driving the length of the UK 360 times – a total of 301,855 miles. Solar is just the first step in enabling the venue to become net zero. This partnership will benefit from the learnings, results and innovations created by Utilita’s own journey towards becoming a net zero business by 2030 – the most ambitious target across the UK retail energy sector.“