Gridserve has completed a solar and energy storage project that will be handed over to Warrington Borough Council in England later today.
The 34.7MW solar farm at York is combined with a 30 megawatt-hour battery storage system.
The project, which generates enough energy to supply a town, also demonstrates how local authorities can partner with developers to deliver projects which cut carbon, supply clean electricity, and generate millions of pounds for councils to fund essential services, Gridserve said.
Gridserve chief executive and founder Toddington Harper said: “It’s our collective responsibility to prevent runaway climate change and protect species, so let’s be the change and make it happen.
“Projects like this, which also require no government subsidy whatsoever, demonstrate that the UK can meet its net zero obligations well before 2050 and enable us to move the needle in delivering radical carbon reductions within the next 10 years.
“We’ve completely rethought the solar model to maximise value, and we’ve now demonstrated that we have what it takes to make projects like this a reality.
“To replicate this success, we are now looking to partner with additional landowners, developers, and to acquire project rights.”
In addition to the York hybrid solar project, Warrington Borough Council is also buying a 25.7MW solar farm at Hull, which is due to be handed over early next year.
Gridserve will operate and maintain both projects over their lifetimes for the council.
Electricity from the York hybrid solar farm will be sold on the open market, while the Hull plant will supply all the council’s energy needs.
The deal will make it the first local authority in England to produce all its own electricity.
Warrington Borough Council leader Russ Bowden said: “The completion of this groundbreaking project is a huge milestone for the council.
“This investment strengthens our commitment to tackle the climate emergency, and will also help us secure our energy supply, give us control over our energy prices, and contribute to reducing fuel poverty.
“At the same time, the solar farm is an important part of our ‘invest to save’ programme, and we expect it to generate an operating surplus of millions of pounds that can be ploughed back into delivering vital council services.
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Gridserve on this cutting-edge scheme and we are proud to have delivered the UK’s most advanced solar farm.
“It’s great news for Warrington and also sets the bar for other local authorities in what can be achieved by working with the right partners, with a shared ambition.”