Agenda item

To receive the report of the Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction, which provides an update on the proposed Solar Farm Project.

The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction presented the report which provided Members with further updates on the developments of the ‘Land Based Solar Farm’ project which will be located on Council owned land. The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction acknowledged the great potential of the project in context of future carbon offsetting opportunities.

The report provided background information and key updates on the proposals which will provide significant contribution to offset carbon footprint and greatly contribute to achieving the Councils net zero carbon targets. 

The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised Members that the project can be described as a 6MW Solar Farm and has been given this title due to the combined output of the two ‘export aspects’ contained within the proposal. The ‘export aspect’ consists of Western Power Distribution and private wire arrangements. The Head of Energy and Carbon advised Members that negotiations for the private wire are currently at the delegative stage and subject to a non-disclosure arrangement that the Council has entered with a potential partner.

The Head of Energy and Carbon continued by advising Members that currently the Solar Farm proposals have three alternative options which can be utilised as summarised below:

Option 1: to build the solar farm to take advantage of our secured 5MW grid connection, as a stand-alone entity, that will feed directly into the grid at 33kV and trade the power generated via that sole route.

Option 2: to combine the setup described above with a private wire arrangement to a local partner, and export to trade at two levels, these being 33kV and 11kV.

Option 3: to combine both of the above scenarios with the exploration of other opportunities to provide green energy, at a low cost, to future commercial enterprises on a local industrial estate. This approach is hoped to incentivise traditional high energy consumers to relocate to the site, not only for the green energy but also the growth potential of the site. As part of the process, considerations of creating a sizeable Electric Vehicle Charging Station, powered partly by the solar farm but with battery storage facilities, initially for use by the Council and wider public sector fleet, but also in the longer term for commercial HGVs and private vehicles.

The Head of Energy and Carbon informed Members that focus will be targeted towards option 2; however, option 3 may be considered depending on investigations at a later stage and if there is a corporate willingness to pursue it.

The Head of Energy and Procurement advised Members that being able to move the outlined proposals to project status will enable the necessary approved systems of governance to be put in place for continued development of the project and will permit the Councils appointed team to control matters as progressions are made.

One Member raised concern surrounding the volume of the Solar Farm project and its impact to the natural habitats, vegetation, and carbon footprint on the site. The Member was concerned as there would be a lot of energy and resources which will be utilised to develop the project with minimum return.

One Member echoed similar concerns in regard to the ecological impact of the project.

The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised Members that investigations will be undertaken to ensure the ecological condition of the site will be maintained to its current conditional status. In regard to the vegetational impact, the Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction reassured Members that efforts will be made to maintain and reduce disturbances on the ground to a minimum.

The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised Members of investigations which will be undertaken for carbon footprint during the procurement process and relevant queries will be raised surrounding what the carbon footprint of the project will be. A Member understood the concerns raised however was in support of the project due to its overall future financial benefits towards the Council.

The Chief Executives advised Members of the Steering Group that the Solar Farm will provide continual long-term positive impacts to the environment, as the energy provided from the Solar Farm would be used for over 20 years. A Member echoed the Chief Executive, referring the longevity of the project and generation of energy; however, the Member requested for further reports which would inform Members of the energy utilised during the production on the Solar Farm project.

The Welcome to Our Wood representative supported the development of the Solar Farm project detailing the benefits of producing Council owned energy which in result provides Energy security.

Following discussion, the Climate Change Cabinet Steering Group RESOLVED:

-       To note the contents of the update report

-       Agree that the report can be presented to Cabinet, to recommend the approval of the proposal, as a project.

-       To receive further reports in 2022 providing further updates on progress.