Council to buy its own solar farm – in Gloucestershire

WARRINGTON looks set to buy its own solar farm – in Gloucestershire.
The borough council’s executive board is being recommended to approve the business case for the purchase of the facility which would be providing power for the borough by October next year.
All the power generated by the farm could be used to meet the council’s energy needs and any surplus generated could be sold back into the National Grid.
The council’s total electricity needs are 22.8Mw a year, including 9.2Mw to schools. Current cost is £2.7 million a year. But using power from the council’s own solar farm will save the authority money.
In a report to be considered by the executive board next Monday, finance chief Cllr Russ Bowden, says the solar farm will be built this year by the UK’s second largest solar operator. It will not be purchased until it is completed.
Cllr Bowden points out the council has been a leader in promoting green energy for several years. It has installed solar heating on 3,000 Golden Gates properties and has developed solar bond investments other councils have invested in and which generate a commercial return to Warrington.
In addition, the council led on the structuring of a solar bond investment with Thurrock and Newham councils which involved the purchase of the UK’s second largest solar farm in Swindon. This is now generating a commercial return to the council and is showing considerable equity uplift since its purchase.
A risk assessment has shown that the initiative is considered to be financial prudent and of a high investment grade, there is no development risk because the council will not purchase the farm until it is completed, and that the farm will be subject to an environmental study, will be developed to the highest ethical standards and in consultation with the local community.
The site chosen already has full dev elopement rights and grid connection permissions and has been chosen for its excellent sunny location.

Details of the financial implications of the scheme will be discussed by the executive board in private – but the council will receive £5.3 million Local Growth Funding monies via the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and £3.386 million of Hou sing Infrastructure funding from  the Department for Communities and Local Government.