Renewable Energy Sources – The New Headline Act At Europe’s Music Festivals

Date: 04/03/24

As we emerge from a long and stormy winter into spring, many of us will be turning our minds to the upcoming music festival season. From the mighty Glastonbury to smaller local events, the festival industry is thriving across the UK and Europe. In the UK alone, there are almost 500 festivals every year, generating an estimated £3.3bn in revenue.

Unfortunately, these festivals involve huge numbers of people, using vast amounts of power for everything from lighting to catering to the music itself. What’s more, many of these festivals are located far from the National Grid, meaning that they have to generate their own energy.

In the past, this power has been provided by diesel generators, with 12 million litres of diesel used every year by festivals in the UK. However, increasingly, the spotlight is on festivals to find more renewable energy sources, such as those provided by Think Hire, including solar site lighting and portable solar power stations.

Glastonbury leads the way

Glastonbury, the iconic music festival sold out in just 57 minutes when tickets went on sale last November. As the UK’s industry leader, they understand their responsibility to set a good example on environmental issues.

Last year they led the way in showing how renewable energy sources can be used to make festivals greener. A 20 metre wind turbine, combined with solar panels, provided electricity for a range of market stalls at the festival.

Other festivals are following

Many other UK festivals are following Glastonbury’s example and using renewable energy sources. For example, the Shambala festival, held in Northamptonshire in August, has reduced its carbon footprint by over 90% and achieved 100% renewable electricity.

Mysteryland, in the Netherlands, now generates 80% of its power from renewable energy sources. The festival is connected to solar panels on a local farm, generating the bulk of the power needed by the 130,000 festivalgoers that attend every year.

A greener future for festivals

Think Hire fully supports the UK festival industry in its efforts to become more environmentally friendly. We have the equipment and technology to help festivals of all shapes and sizes to meet the recommendations of the European Green Roadmap – a sustainability checklist created by the industry, for the industry.

This report clearly states that "energy generation from non-renewable, fossil fuel sources is not sustainable and must be phased out", but this, on its own, is just words. At Think Hire, we offer more than words; we deliver practical access to renewable energy sources that can make a real difference, not just to vague future targets, but to the energy you are using right now.

Think Hire ready to party

Whether you’re putting on a real show, with thousands of people and international headline acts, or you’re creating a smaller, event for local bands and performers, Think Hire has everything you need to make your festival greener.

We can power the equipment from renewable energy sources, thanks to our innovative Solartainer solar hybrid generators. We can provide solar powered mobile tower lighting, compound lighting and floodlights to keep your site safely lit. Even the gate team can be greener, thanks to our solar security huts, with heating and lighting powered by integrated solar panels.

Think Hire can help you to make your facilities more environmentally friendly too, with a range of temporary toilet blocks and site shelters in our site accommodation range.

To find out more about how Think Hire can help with temporary fairs and festivals this summer, get in touch today. With a range of renewable energy sources available, we can keep your festival clean and green from the opening act to the grand finale.

View all Think Hire news