Oldham Council is inviting businesses to bid on a £1.2 million contract to build and manage its first solar plant in Wrigley Head, Failsworth.

Announced on Tuesday, the project is a cornerstone of the council’s Green New Deal initiative, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality for all council buildings by 2025 and the entire borough by 2030.

Project Design and Construction

With construction expected to begin in September, the project requires a contractor who can evaluate the preliminary design for the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array and enhance it with the latest technological advancements. The revised design will need approval from the council, the planning authority, and other relevant stakeholders.

A Milestone for Oldham’s Green Agenda

Cllr Abdul Jabbar MBE, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources, expressed great enthusiasm for this ground-breaking Greater Manchester initiative.

The project will revitalize a previously derelict site by generating clean electricity. “The solar farm will generate enough green energy to power the equivalent of around 750 homes at one time,” Abdul Jabbar noted.

As part of a broader agenda for green initiatives, this project marks a significant milestone as the first subsidy-free solar plant owned by a local authority in the region. This endeavour aligns with the council’s commitment to sustainability, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while promoting environmental benefits.

In a related development, Oldham Council has secured £8.7 million in grant funding to help establish a low-carbon district heating network in the Town Centre.

This pioneering network will use renewable heat sources—such as air, wastewater, mine water, and biomass—to supply multiple buildings, eliminating the need for separate boilers or electric heating units.

Interested green technology businesses are encouraged to participate in this transformative project.