Officers and Members from Westmorland and Furness Council and Vital Energi gathered at the new 2MW solar farm at Sandscale Park in Barrow to celebrate the project’s official completion.
The solar farm is a first for the council and the renewable energy project marks a key milestone in their ongoing efforts to combat climate change and meet their Net Zero targets.
The site, which has been successfully completed in six months, will generate green electricity to offset the council’s carbon emissions, in line with its Carbon Management Strategy and Climate Action Plans. It is the first of more schemes to come as part of the council’s wider decarbonisation programme of work.
Thanks to almost 3,700 solar panels, the site is expected to generate enough electricity to power the council’s five leisure centres or approximately 730 homes per year, based upon average UK households, also delivering significant carbon savings.
The completion of the project is a significant step forward in the council's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability in response to the growing challenges posed by climate change. In addition to contributing to the council’s income generation, the solar farm will mitigate rising energy costs and enhance the council’s energy sovereignty, independence and security, providing a robust solution for future energy needs.
The scheme was delivered in collaboration with the council’s strategic partner Electricity North West, main contractor Vital Energi, and specialist advisors Green Cat Renewables. The site is now connected to the national grid and generating electricity.
Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges to this generation, and for many generations to come. It is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and humanity globally, with the devastating impacts of it already seen and experienced in Westmorland and Furness.
In recognition of this, the project included plans to enhance biodiversity at the site. A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan ensured a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, creating opportunities for pollinators and enhancing woodland, hedgerows, and habitats.
Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, added:
“This solar farm is a landmark achievement, not just for our council but for Cumbria as a whole. We already have solar panels on several of our buildings but this marks the first time we have harnessed the natural power of the sun at this scale and is a proud step forward in our fight against climate change.
“It is a project which ensures that the natural environment thrives alongside our efforts to generate green energy and I’m pleased to see biodiversity has been a key consideration. A range of native tree and hedge species have been planted as well as habitats created to support our rich local wildlife including pollinators, bats and a variety of birds such as house sparrows, wagtails, nuthatch and redstarts. I look forward to seeing how else we can make effective and efficient use of our assets on our journey to carbon net zero.”
