Tees solar power vision is unveiled

SOLAR panels on swathes of publicly owned land are part of a grand plan to set up Teesside’s own energy firm as prices soar.

Documents for the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) show a £50m vision to create an energy firm by setting up panels on land next to Teesside Airport runway – with the possibility of also using land at the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC).

The idea would see energy then sold on locally to public bodies, hospital trusts and schools at a cheaper rate than others. Cash from the UK Infrastructure bank is hoped to fund the ambitious scheme – with the work expected to last two to three years if it starts next spring.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen believed a longer term solution was needed to cut energy bills and “make them less volatile”.

He added: “By investing in solar energy generation, and installing solar panels on land at our airport in the first instance, we can create electricity to sell to key sites at a price lower than existing energy companies.”

The metro mayor claimed this would save taxpayers money by saving energy costs for public bodies.

The report for next Friday’s cabinet meeting warned it was “likely to take some time” for the plan to get up and running.

It added: “Modelling suggests that even in the worst case scenario, where power was effectively just sold back to the grid, the project would generate a financial return for the TVCA.” Officials envisage the debt for the £50m would be paid back over between 30 and 50 years.

Mr Houchen also said it was another good way of putting airport land to good use – with the potential to create more sites at Teesworks.

He referred to the two waste tips of around 150 acres at the former steelworks sites which currently don’t have viable commercial uses.

However, it’s understood the energy generated would not be sold directly to Teesside homes initially.

Mr Houchen told the Local Democracy Reporting Service how schools with flat roofs could also feature in the scheme.

Council leaders and the mayor will meet next Friday.