Renewable energy standards agency expands into bigger space at Liverpool city region innovation campus Sci-Tech Daresbury. Tony McDonough reports

Small-scale domestic renewable energy and heating standards organisation MCS is expanding its space at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

Established in 2007, MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), certifies low-carbon products and installations that produce electricity and heat from renewable sources. An acceleration of the UK’s net zero plans has led to a surge in demand for its work.

It is now certifying an increasing number of solar PV systems, wind, heat pumps, biomass and battery storage. It has been based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, the Liverpool city region’s science and innovation campus, since 2018. It was previously based in London.

Its latest office space, Violet 3, is part of a new complex at the entrance to Sci-Tech Daresbury, built by contractors Willmott Dixon. The £17.8m development comprises 43,000 sq ft. of speculative grade A office and innovation space.

READ MORE: Occupancy levels drive up profits at Langtree

MCS now occupies 4,416 sq ft on the first floor of Violet 3. It employs 36 people, with women comprising more than 60% of the team. Employee numbers are projected to grow into 2023, hence the need for the extra space. 

Ian Rippin, chief executive of MCS, said: “We have been based at Sci-Tech Daresbury for several years now. In that time, we have grown our business significantly by nurturing a local workforce passionate about helping the change to a low carbon future.

“Our investment in a purpose-built, high-specification workplace at Violet 3 – in the heart of a buzzing innovation campus – continues to reflect our values of collaboration and helps to foster even more talent within MCS well into the future.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the overall look and feel of our contemporary yet functional working environment. This now provides us with breakout areas and meeting spaces in a relaxed and well-designed workplace for all our employees.”