Question
The Barkham Farms solar farm received planning permission earlier this month.
As a member of the Planning Committee, I spoke in favour of the application and was pleased to vote for it.
The Climate Emergency Action Plan, which he will know I have long derided as ineffective, inaccurate and unacceptable, states that target RE12.1 for this specific solar farm project is 7,900 tons of carbon saved per year. That's 197,500 tons of carbon over 25 years.
However, it was stated in the planning application that this solar farm would realise a carbon saving of 92,000 tons over 25 years. That's over 100,000 tons less than the planned target.
Why have you missed this target by more than half?
Minutes:
The Barkham Farms solar farm received planning permission earlier this month.
As a member of the Planning Committee, I spoke in favour of the application and was pleased to vote for it.
The Climate Emergency Action Plan, which he will know I have long derided as ineffective, inaccurate and unacceptable, states that target RE12.1 for this specific solar farm project is 7,900 tons of carbon saved per year. That's 197,500 tons of carbon over 25 years.
However, it was stated in the planning application that this solar farm would realise a carbon saving of 92,000 tons over 25 years. That's over 100,000 tons less than the planned target.
Why have you missed this target by more than half?
Answer
As you are aware, the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency and the associated Action Plan established a series of commitments to play as full a role as possible in achieving a carbon-neutral Wokingham Borough by 2030 (accepting that the Council was only one of a wide range of stakeholders who would also need to take action). One of those significant commitments was to develop largescale solar PV farms throughout the Borough.
The broad targets set within the Climate Emergency Action Plan allow us to understand the level of commitment that is required by all sectors and partners and provides a clear path for the scale of the approach that is needed. However, as was made clear in the plan, these targets are best estimates based on the information we had at the time. The assumptions made with regard to carbon reductions achievable with solar farms were informed by Ofgem (Typical Domestic Consumption Values for gas and electricity, 2020) and the UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting (June 2020). The analysis of anticipated carbon reductions was therefore informed but indicative and was always expected to vary following detailed studies and feasibility assessments.
The initial plans for the solar farm in Barkham aimed to generate in-excess of 36 MWp of energy (CEAP second progress report July 2021), however, as the planning application progressed the size of the solar farm was reduced to address various issues raised. The planning application that went before planning committee on 8th September was for a 29.63 MWp facility that inevitably would deliver a lower carbon reduction.
Using the UK Government Green House Gas (GHG) Conversion Factors for electricity generated, it is estimated that the energy generated by a 29.63 MWp solar farm would save some 7,573 tCO2 in year one of operation when compared to using traditional fossil fuels. The estimated energy generation of the scheme therefore does fall short of the 7,970 tCO2 set out in the CEAP. However, the adjustments to the scheme in response to the site-specific planning constraints were necessary to secure planning consent. The CEAP will be updated in the next reporting to reflect the change in the anticipated carbon reduction to be achieved. In addition, the Council will also look at the potential for additional capacity at the other solar farms as detailed plans are developed to maximise the overall contribution to carbon reduction that can be achieved.
The referenced figure in the planning committee report related to savings over a 25 year period. The figure takes into account both a reduction in energy generation as the equipment ages and that the level of carbon saving will reduce over time because the wider energy supply market will de-carbonise. The energy generation and carbon savings per year will not be fixed over the 25 year period as has been applied in the calculations used in your question. The 25-year figure in the planning report is not therefore directly comparable to the 7,970 tCO2 target set out in the CEAP.
As the Council progresses the detailed development of the other solar farms, we will have better understanding of the potential carbon savings that can be achieved, however, this will depend on their feasibility, size, and other market variations.
Overall, the development of solar farms remains a major and very positive commitment by the Council. Not only will they increase the production of renewable energy but also have the potential to generate an income which will then be reinvested into delivering other carbon reduction projects.