Westmorland and Furness Council Completes 2MW Solar Farm at Sandscale Park to Enhance Climate Goals

Westmorland and Furness Council has completed a 2MW solar farm at Sandscale Park in Barrow, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy and carbon reduction. This six-month project, developed with Electricity North West, Vital Energi, and Green Cat Renewables, is now connected to the national grid.

With nearly 3,700 solar panels, the solar farm will generate clean energy to offset approximately 507 tonnes of CO₂ annually—enough to power the council’s five leisure centres or around 730 UK households. This aligns with the council’s Carbon Management Strategy and Climate Action Plans, helping to address rising energy costs and increase local energy independence.

Beyond renewable energy, the council prioritizes biodiversity at the Sandscale Park site. A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan, which includes planting native trees and hedges, aims to achieve a 10% net gain in local biodiversity, creating habitats for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

This solar project is part of the council’s broader decarbonisation agenda, with additional renewable energy initiatives planned for the future.