West Berkshire announces plans for new solar farm

A solar farm could be built on land near Grazeley as part of West Berkshire’s Council’s plans to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help combat climate change.

As part of the authority’s Environment Strategy to become carbon neutral by 2030, the council is exploring the possibility of a new solar farm, after a study found a solar farm provides a viable option for clean, green energy which would offset around 30 per cent of West Berkshire’s carbon footprint.

Plans for the solar farm will see more than 45,000 solar panels installed on up to 75 acres of land already pwned by the council, generating enough electricity each year to power approximately 4,400 homes.   

Funding for the project, which is estimated to cost around £10 million, will be included in the capital strategy for Council to approve on the 2 March 2021.

Steve Ardagh-Walter, executive member for the Environment, said: "Last year we installed solar on some of our buildings and we are now looking to build on this with the possibility of a new solar farm. It could significantly reduce our carbon footprint with any surplus income available to reinvest in other environmental projects. Our Environment Strategy is something we are absolutely committed to, and this new solar farm is a statement of our intent towards achieving a carbon neutral district by 2030."

West Berkshire Council has already invested over £500,000 to install solar panels on some of its own buildings. The initial six buildings installed with solar panels are expected to generate approaching 400,000KWh per year, saving approximately 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.