Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Resources which outlines the process behind selecting and developing a potential site for a solar farm along with the challenges and risks in doing so, with the report also seeking a range of approvals necessary to progress towards meeting a new, increased target for local renewable electricity generation.

The Director of Resources submitted a report outlining the process behind selecting and developing a potential site for a solar farm along with the challenges and risks in doing so, with the report also seeking a range of approvals necessary to progress towards meeting a new, increased target for local renewable electricity generation. The report highlighted the Council’s commitment to working towards ensuring that its energy consumption is 100% from zero carbon sources by 2030, in line its Climate Emergency declaration.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member highlighted how the proposals within the report would make a significant contribution towards the Council’s commitment for its energy consumption to be 100% from zero carbon sources by 2030 and would also further support the range of actions being taken around improving the energy security of the city. The recommendation to increase the Council’s commitment to achieve 30% of its electricity demand through locally based renewables generation by 2025/26, from the current commitment of 10%, was also highlighted.

The Board noted that the report was being considered under the provisions of Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 2.5 (General Exception) given that the matter had been designated as a Key Decision, but hadn’t featured on the List of Forthcoming Key Decisions for the full 28 days as required, due to an administrative error. However, it was noted that the relevant Scrutiny Board Chair had been provided with a copy of the agenda, the agenda had been published, and at least 5 clear days had elapsed since those actions were taken, in line with the General Exception requirements. In addition, it was confirmed that it was impracticable to defer the report to the next scheduled Board meeting to allow the 28 days’ notice because an in-principle decision to develop the solar farms was required in order to be able to begin procurement processes without delay at the appropriate time given the time pressures arising from the current energy crisis.

In welcoming the proposals, a Member highlighted how there were examples outside of the city of land being used concurrently for both energy and food production, with a suggestion that this approach be explored moving forward.

The importance of ensuring that appropriate consultation and engagement with Elected Members and across communities was highlighted. In response, assurance was provided that no specific sites had yet been identified, and that comprehensive consultation would be undertaken as part of the process to identify appropriate sites.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That a new commitment to achieve 30% of the Council’s electricity demand through locally based renewables generation by 2025/26, increased from the current commitment of 10%, be approved;

(b)  That the injection of up to £50m for the development of a mix of solar farm capacity and rooftop solar with potential for battery storage with individual sites, be approved;

(c)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of Resources to provide the Director with the appropriate ‘authority to spend’ for individual sites with construction costs of under £500k, with sites valued at over £500k being approved by Executive Board, based upon site specific business cases and funding arrangements;

(d)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, to provide the Director with authority to award a contract for the design, build, operation and maintenance of sites;

(e)  That authority be provided to establish a local authority company, should there be a requirement, on terms that are agreed by the Director of Resources and in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources, the City Solicitor, and the Section 151 Officer;

(f)  That the principle of selling surplus electricity generated at a solar farm to the National Grid or other public sector organisations within the city where there is a positive financial benefit, be agreed.