Solar Farm at Arla Foods Site in Oswestry Nears Approval
Source: DairyNews.today
A proposal to build a two-megawatt solar farm on land near Arla Foods' packaging plant at Maesbury Road Industrial Estate is set to move forward, with Shropshire Council preparing to manage the project under a 25-year agreement.
The scheme, which is designed to generate renewable energy for the dairy co-operative, would see the council selling electricity directly to the factory at a pre-set price through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
The solar farm, first proposed in 2021, will be reviewed by the planning committee next week following a recommendation for approval by the council’s planning officers. If greenlit, over 3,000 solar panels will be installed on a four-hectare plot, supplying electricity to the Arla Foods plant via a direct connection. Any excess energy produced would be sold back to the national grid, contributing to the broader energy market.
The project underscores a significant collaboration between local government and the private sector, with Shropshire Council taking a leadership role in renewable energy development. The long-term PPA ensures that Arla Foods benefits from stable energy costs, aligning with the company's sustainability goals while reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Environmental Concerns
While the project has garnered support, some concerns have been raised regarding the site’s structural integrity. The proposed location sits on a former landfill covered by a clay "cap," designed to prevent water from seeping into buried waste. The council’s environmental protection team expressed caution about the potential impact of the panels’ weight on the clay cap, urging careful consideration of this issue during the planning process.
If approved, the solar farm will mark a significant step forward in Arla Foods' commitment to sustainability while positioning Shropshire Council as a key player in regional renewable energy production.
The solar farm, first proposed in 2021, will be reviewed by the planning committee next week following a recommendation for approval by the council’s planning officers. If greenlit, over 3,000 solar panels will be installed on a four-hectare plot, supplying electricity to the Arla Foods plant via a direct connection. Any excess energy produced would be sold back to the national grid, contributing to the broader energy market.
The project underscores a significant collaboration between local government and the private sector, with Shropshire Council taking a leadership role in renewable energy development. The long-term PPA ensures that Arla Foods benefits from stable energy costs, aligning with the company's sustainability goals while reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Environmental Concerns
While the project has garnered support, some concerns have been raised regarding the site’s structural integrity. The proposed location sits on a former landfill covered by a clay "cap," designed to prevent water from seeping into buried waste. The council’s environmental protection team expressed caution about the potential impact of the panels’ weight on the clay cap, urging careful consideration of this issue during the planning process.
If approved, the solar farm will mark a significant step forward in Arla Foods' commitment to sustainability while positioning Shropshire Council as a key player in regional renewable energy production.
