East Riding of Yorkshire Council, in partnership with Vital Energi, has commenced work to develop the council’s first utility-scale solar farm at Rawcliffe Bridge Village.
East Riding of Yorkshire has taken a big step towards its net zero targets with the beginning of a 6MW solar farm, which will slash their carbon emissions by approximately 1,710 tonnes each year, the equivalent of removing around 1,200 cars off the road.
The 10,000 solar-panelled farm, which was part-funded through the Devolution deal, will help the council save on costs, reduce reliance on external suppliers, and support vital public services. The £6.92m project is being delivered by Vital Energi and represents a significant step towards a greener future for the region.
A ‘sleeving’ arrangement will also be used with the council’s energy supplier, meaning electricity generated at Rawcliffe Bridge will be essentially traded back into the council's overall supply, further supporting long-term cost and carbon savings.
The solar farm aligns with the council's corporate priority to value the environment. This means protecting and enhancing the natural environment, addressing climate change, and promoting high-quality design in development.
The Rawcliffe Bridge scheme has been carefully planned to deliver wider economic and social value benefits. We are committed to leveraging the local supply spend during both construction and operation to maximise regional economic impact. Alongside this, Vital Energi will deliver our climate education programme to local schools with students aged between 3 – 11 years old, and site visits will be provided to inspire the next generation to explore green careers.
Over 30 volunteering hours have been committed to local charities as part of the project. This includes support for Friends of Sugar Mill Ponds, a local environmental charity adjacent to the solar farm scheme, dedicated to enhancing and protecting the Sugar Mill Ponds area, and Two Rivers Community Pantry, which provides meals to those in need within the community
The solar farm will cover 18.3 hectares of land to the south-west of Goole, north of the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal. The size of the project requires a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, and consulting with an Ecologist, this has been meticulously integrated with the design to ensure a positive environmental impact, achieved through the planting and maintenance of a wildflower meadow, species-rich grasslands beneath the panels, and plenty of hedgerow planting.
