This winter, Manchester’s most magical ice rink is getting a green upgrade thanks to Octopus Energy. As the official partner of Skate Manchester, Octopus is bringing clean, green energy to the festive season in the most eye-catching way possible: with a 15-metre festive wind turbine.
A Festive First: Skating Around a Wind Turbine
This year, visitors to Skate Manchester can glide around a 15kW portable wind turbine, part of Octopus Energy’s mission to make renewable energy fun, visible, and accessible. The turbine, which can be installed in just a day, will partially power the rink, helping to reduce its environmental footprint and showcase what clean energy can do.
It’s the first time the turbine has made an appearance in Manchester, a city increasingly recognised for its leadership in sustainability and the UK’s clean energy transition.
Powering Community Spirit
The partnership goes far beyond the rink. Octopus Energy is also powering the community programmes at Skate Manchester supporting over 100 community partners and giving more than 5,000 people the chance to skate for free or at discounted rates this festive season.
And for Octopus Energy customers, there’s an extra treat — 2-for-1 skating sessions at both rinks through the Octoplus rewards scheme.
Bringing Local Energy to Life
Octopus is also inviting local youth teams from its ‘Kits for Kids’ grassroots football initiative for free skating sessions. The programme, launched in 2024, has already distributed over 27,000 free football kits across the UK, with another 27,000 planned for next year.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Octopus Energy, said:
“Our festive turbine is swapping sleigh bells for spinning blades this Christmas, and we couldn’t be more excited. Onshore wind is one of the UK’s cheapest, greenest power sources, and what better way to show it off than by helping light up the ice at Skate Manchester. We can pop up a mobile turbine in just a day, proving renewable energy is quick, fun, and brings real benefits to local communities.”
Setting a New Benchmark for Sustainable Events
Rob Derry, Director at Tamarisk Events, who oversees both rinks, added:
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Partnering with Octopus Energy — the UK’s leading clean energy provider — is a huge privilege. Using a mix of wind power, batteries, and grid energy, we’re setting a new benchmark for sustainable winter attractions.”
Manchester Leading the Way
Local leaders have also praised the partnership.
Councillor Tracey Rawlins said:
“The partnership between Octopus Energy and Skate Manchester is a brilliant example of how innovation and sustainability can come together to create something truly special.”
And Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, added:
“Using a wind turbine to power our festive rink is genius. We’re going all out this year to make Christmas in Manchester as green as possible — and skating around a wind turbine is definitely a first!”
Join the Fun
Visitors can enter Octopus Energy’s online competition to name the festive turbine, with the winning entry earning ten VIP tickets to Skate Manchester. Whether you’re skating under the stars, supporting community programmes, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere, this year’s Skate Manchester proves that a greener Christmas is a better Christmas, powered by Octopus Energy.