The solar farm proposed for the Whitehead Restoration site at Astley, will have a maximum export capacity of 10MW of electricity, enough to power over 2,857 homes per year and offset over 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ every year, 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 of electricity to the local distribution network and the facility will provide balancing services to National Grid to ensure the future security of the country’s electricity supply.

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. The Astley site will be a significant contributor to achieving these targets.

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

Green Earth Development Group, the owners of the development, has unrivalled expertise in the acquisition, management, and re-purposing of brownfield sites in the UK and their ability to convert difficult legacy sites of the past into environmental and community assets of the future is their 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 8000 m2 of native woodland, 1000 m2 of native scrub and 140,000 m² of grassland planting will be included.

Simon Towers, Co-Chairman, Green Earth Development Group:

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.