The development of a new solar farm in Oldham is taking shape as Oldham Council outlines the next stages of the project. The site at Wrigley Head in Failsworth is the council’s first solar farm, with the project being part of the local authority’s Green New Deal.
Now, the council has said construction is planned to start in September as it searches for a contractor to design, construct, operate and maintain the solar farm for up to 20 years. The council is inviting businesses to tender for a £1.2 million contract to deliver the project.
Cllr Abdul Jabbar MBE, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for green technology businesses to get involved in a pioneering project in Greater Manchester.
“The solar farm will create green energy which is capable of creating enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 750 homes at one time.
“It will transform the land, which was previously a derelict site, giving it a new sustainable purpose which will boost the environment and biodiversity. It will also reduce our reliance on fossil fuels giving the council cheaper energy bills that stay low – unlike gas prices, meaning we have more money to spend on front-line services.
“This new solar farm is just one of many green projects we have planned, and an added plus is that it will be the first subsidy-free local authority owned solar farm in Greater Manchester.”
According to Cllr Jabbar, Oldham was the first council in the UK to adopt a Green New Deal and is aiming to become the greenest borough in Greater Manchester.
