Green energy: solar farm at former Wigan borough landfill site would power '2,800 homes a year'

The application from Geen Earth is for panels to be installed at the Whitehead Restoration site at Astley, the firm saying it would have a maximum “export capacity” of 10MW (mega-watts) of electricity.

That, they say, is enough to power more than 2,850 homes per year and offset over 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ at the same time: the equivalent of taking over 750 petrol/diesel cars off the road.

The proposed Battery Energy Storage System will have a capacity to charge, store and export 5MVA (mega-volt amps) of electricity to the local distribution network and the facility would provide balancing services to National Grid to ensure the future security of the country’s electricity supply.

Green Earth points out that both Wigan Council and Salford City Council declared a climate emergency in July 2019 with a target of reaching net zero carbon by 2038.

In addition, one of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority energy supply priorities is to increase local renewable energy generation adding at least 45MW by 2024.

Green Earth says the Astley site would be a significant contributor to achieving these targets.

And the Whitehead site already enjoys an existing grid connection for export of renewable energy and so, the company says, it is uniquely placed to contribute to the net zero agenda.

Green Earth Development Group, the owner of the development, specialises in the acquisition, management, and re-purposing of brownfield sites in the UK and the ability to convert difficult legacy sites of the past into environmental and community assets of the future is its core strength.

Therefore, it is no surprise that as part of the revised restoration scheme for the site, a perimeter path around the restored landfill site is proposed, connecting the site to the wider existing public right of way network. Over 8000m sq of native woodland, 1000m sq of native scrub and 140,000m sq of grassland planting will be included.

Simon Towers, co-chairman of Green Earth Development Group, said: “This project aligns perfectly with our mission at Green Earth, re-building nature and re-powering communities.

"We are grateful to have a long-lasting and trusting relationship with the local community at Astley and this project will ensure that this continues for decades to come.”