A 2MW solar farm on council owned land at Sandscale Park, Barrow, has been approved this week.
The electricity generated will be enough for approximately 730 homes a year, and is expected save about 607 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. Part of this development also includes a biodiversity plan – which includes managing the grassland for sheep grazing and retaining bird nesting habitats.
The site is currently council ‘surplus land’ – and the contract has been awarded to Vital Energi at a cost of approximately £2.7m. In addition to clean energy, and carbon savings it is expected that the project will provide some protection against the volatility of the price of electricity.
Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate and Biodiversity, added: “This is a significant milestone for the council and a sign of our commitment to tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
“In developing our Climate Action Plan, we have set ourselves ambitious targets to significantly reduce our own carbon footprint and this solar farm is further evidence of our determination to play a leading role in tackling climate change.”
Read the report from the 12 September meeting here.
(Image from stock photos)
