NEARLY a quarter of Swindon Borough Council’s electricity consumption will be provided by solar power.

The local authority has joined with suppliers West Mercia Energy, Total Gas & Power and Swindon Chapel Farm Solar in an agreement which means that all the power generated at the Chapel Farm solar plant near Blunsdon will be used by the council

It is estimated that the farm – on a former landfill site – will generate approximately 5 million kWh of electricity each year, which is nearly 25 per cent of the council’s use.

Cabinet member for climate change councillor Keith Williams said: “This is a big step towards the council’s target of being ‘net-zero’ by 2030.

"This project shows what can be done with the right partners and I thank CFS, WME and TGP for their support, which ultimately, results in energy generated in Swindon being used to offset a significant proportion of the council’s energy consumption.”

Director of West Mercia Energy Nigel Evans added: “I am delighted that we have been able to support the council with this innovative project which helps them move towards their net-zero ambitions.

“We see local generation projects such as this one as being key to supporting local authorities becoming net-zero in the future.”

Total Gas & Power director Mark Rose said: “Total shares the ambition, together with society, to become carbon neutral by 2050, for all of its activities, from its production to the use of the energy products sold to its customers.

“Therefore, we are very pleased to support both Swindon and WME as they lead the way towards their own carbon neutrality.”