Council’s solar farm in Exeter shortlisted for a top national award
Published: 4 August 2023
The Council’s pioneering solar farm and battery storage facility at Marsh Barton has been shortlisted for a top national award.
The Water Lane Smart Grid & Storage Project is the first of its kind in the region and delivers a further step towards the City Council’s ambition of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030.
It has been shortlisted in the Best Climate Action and Decarbonisation Initiative category at the annual APSE Awards, which are specific to frontline services provided by UK local authorities.
The facility is now powering the city’s electric fleet of vehicles, its recycling centre and offices with green energy.
The Water Lane Smart Grid features 3,700 solar panels which create 1.2MW of clean, renewable energy. The substantial battery facility is capable of storing 2MW and provides flexibility between peak generation and peak usage. The installations will serve as an example from which lessons can be learned and successes shared.
Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the facility is built on an inactive landfill site and feeds power directly to the Council’s nearby operations depot.
Cllr Josie Parkhouse, Lead Councillor for Climate and Ecological Crisis, said: “It’s great news that this fantastic facility has been shortlisted for a national award.
“Switching to an electric fleet of vehicles and generating the electricity to power them is a significant step towards delivering the Council’s ambition to become Net Carbon Zero by 2030.”
Exeter has been shortlisted alongside Dorset Council, Durham County Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Nottingham City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council for the award.
Bindu Arjoon, the Council’s Chief Executive, said: “It is fantastic to receive national recognition for this pioneering project, and I want to congratulate our Net Zero team for successfully delivering it.”
The awards are agreed by a panel of expert judges. This year the awards include 21 categories, covering the vast majority of local services.
The winners will be announced at the APSE Annual Charity Awards Dinner, in aid of Parkinson’s UK, on Thursday 14 September, at the world leading visitor attraction Titanic Belfast.
Mo Baines, APSE Chief Executive, said: “Across local government we have an army of unsung heroes going above and beyond to deliver for their local communities.
“Innovation and dedication is key to their success. The APSE Service Awards uniquely recognise the profound contribution of local council frontline services to local communities and local people. These awards celebrate those contributions to the delivery of excellence on the frontline and striving to achieve continuous improvement in public service delivery.”