Solar farm is planned by council

A SERIES of new green energy schemes are being lined up, including a large solar farm, as Plymouth City Council aims to become carbon-zero by 2030.

Councillors heard last week that the authority is working with the Plymouth Energy Community on a feasibility study for the energy generation project. If it goes ahead, it would be the biggest community-owned solar farm in the city and could provide power for up to seven in ten homes.

The project is one of a series aimed at reducing carbon output from heat and power generation. One scheme already under way in Plymouth is a district energy network to heat and cool buildings in the new Millbay Boulevard development, provided through underground pipes.

Plans are being developed to secure funding for other low-carbon district energy networks at Derriford, Barne Barton and the city centre. Other schemes among 89 listed in the city’s Climate Emergency Action Plan 2021 include: improving the energy efficiency of more than 300 homes using external funding; starting £96 million of sustainable transport initiatives with new walking and cycling facilities across the city; holding a hydrogen technology summit with partners including the Ministry of Defence, dockyard contractor Babcock and Citybus to develop the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel to power larger vehicles; continuing to follow the strategy of reduce, reuse and recycle to deal with waste; working with the city’s youth parliament to design future actions to involve young people.