Ashford Solar Farm

Ashford Borough Council approves proposal to build a 9MW solar farm on a 50-acre plot of land in Shadoxhurst.

18:59 20 February 2019

Ashford Borough Council is pushing through with plans to build a 9MW solar farm which it said would provide a “significant income stream” for the local authority. The scheme will use the 50-acre plot of land in Ashford, which the council bought in 2017 originally for agriculture use.

 

Under the plans, the council will use the solar farm to export solar to the grid, a move that is forecast to generate £7million over a 25-year life expectancy.

 

Graham Galpin, portfolio holder for corporate property at the council, said:

 

"We also feel it is our duty to take the lead on improving air quality by producing electricity through greener, more sustainable means.

 

"Of course, we will be carrying out a comprehensive local consultation as part of the planning process and, should the project come to fruition I am confident that this project will enable us to secure income in a way that actually has a positive effect on our borough's carbon footprint,”

 

Several councils in the UK, including Cambridgeshire and Bristol County Councils have turned to the same technology because it boosts a body’s environmental credential and deliver consistent returns on investment.