The UK’s largest solar power investment in three years will move ahead in the North of England without the need for subsidies. Under the landmark deal, Investec Bank and Leapfrog Finance will fund the construction of two “ultra-advanced” solar projects, in York and Hull, which will ultimately light up streets almost 100 miles to the east. Warrington Borough Council plans to pay more than £60m for the pair of solar parks once they are operational, making it the first local authority to power its offices, streetlights and several primary schools entirely from renewable energy. The council expects the investment to free up an extra £150m over 30 years to be invested into frontline services. Warrington council expects to use the power produced in Hull to cut its £2m annual electricity bill, while selling on the power produced in York to generate extra revenues for the local authority.
Telegraph 28th Feb 2019 read more »
Two innovative solar farms will be built to supply a council with 100% green power and generate millions of pounds for local services.
Energy Voice 28th Feb 2019 read more »
GRIDSERVE has unveiled that it is to start construction on a 37.4MW solar farm and 27MW battery storage project imminently, in what is being billed as the UK’s most technologically advanced solar farm to date. As well as being built without subsidies, the solar farm will be the first in the UK to use bifacial modules and single-axis trackers, indicating two potentially significant trends for the utility-scale market moving forward. Once complete, the site will be purchased buy and supply 100% of the energy demand of Warrington Borough Council, in yet another significant milestone for the UK solar sector. In addition, a second, 25.7MW solar farm is to be constructed soon after, taking GRIDSERVE’s solar build-out for this year to 62MW.
Solar Power Portal 28th Feb 2019 read more »
Jointly funded by Investec Bank and Leapfrog Finance, the solar farms will have a combined capacity of 62MW and will be used to make Warrington Borough Council the first UK-based local authority to generate all of its own energy. The first of the solar farms, a 34.7MWp hybrid solar farm in York, will feature a 27MW battery and is due to come online in October, with construction set to begin immediately. A second 25.7MWp solar farm will then be installed in Hull, with plans for a battery array at the site yet to be finalised. Warrington Borough Council believes that the Hull solar farm will be able to meet 100% of its energy demands, reducing its annual energy bills by up to £2m in the process. Electricity from the York facility, meanwhile, will initially be sold on the open market – but may be offered to other local authorities in the future. The Council estimates that the two solar farms – once fully operational – will generate enough clean power to supply more than 18,000 homes and mitigate the emission of 25,000 tonnes of carbon every year.
Edie 28th Feb 2019 read more »
Energy Live News 28th Feb 2018 read more »
