Oldham Council has initiated a significant step in its environmental strategy, inviting businesses to tender for a £1.2 million contract to develop and operate its inaugural solar farm. The project, slated for a derelict site at Wrigley Head in Failsworth, represents a cornerstone of the council’s ambitious Green New Deal.
This initiative is central to the authority’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality for its own buildings by 2025 and for the entire borough by 2030. As announced by the council, the 1MW solar plant will be the first subsidy-free, local authority-owned facility of its kind in Greater Manchester, marking a major milestone for regional renewable energy efforts.
The successful contractor will be tasked with building and managing the facility. The scope of work includes evaluating the preliminary design for the ground-mounted PV array, enhancing it with the latest technological innovations, and securing all necessary approvals. Construction is anticipated to commence in September.
Cllr Abdul Jabbar MBE, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources, highlighted the project’s impact, stating, “The solar farm will generate enough green energy to power the equivalent of around 750 homes at one time.” This venture not only produces clean electricity but also transforms a previously unused piece of land into a valuable green asset.
The solar farm is part of a wider push towards sustainability in Oldham. The council has also secured £8.7 million in grant funding for a pioneering low-carbon district heating network in the Town Centre. This system will utilize renewable heat from sources like mine water and biomass, further reducing the borough’s reliance on fossil fuels. Green technology businesses are strongly encouraged to participate in the tender process for the Wrigley Head solar project and contribute to Oldham’s sustainable future.
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