Plans announced for major solar farm in west Berkshire

45,000 solar panels to be sited on council-owned land in Grazeley

Author: Nathan Hyde - Local democracy reporterPublished 27th Jan 2021
Last updated 27th Jan 2021

PLANS to spend £10 million on setting up 45,000 solar panels near Grazeley have been announced.

West Berkshire Council says the solar farm will generate enough electricity to power 4,400 homes a year.

The council, which is aiming to ensure West Berkshire becomes carbon neutral by 2030, wants to set up the panels on 75 acres of land near Grazeley which it currently owns.

If funding and the plans are approved, work on the solar farm could start in 2022.

Cllr Steve Ardagh-Walter, executive member for the environment, said:

“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.”

Last year, the Conservative-run council spent over £500,000 on installing solar panels on its own buildings.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.