The South West Net Zero Hub’s Project Development Team have supported four innovative new clean energy projects to get started in the region.
Our Project Managers have worked with the local authorities involved, providing fully funded support and technical expertise to the following projects:
Somerset Council Renewable Energy Opportunity Assessment
The Hub is about to get underway with a strategic assessment of the renewable energy potential across Somerset Council’s land portfolio. The study will review all Council-owned land assets, identify and prioritise opportunities for renewable energy development, and provide an evidence base to inform future land use, investment, and project development decisions.
The assessment will take a proportionate, portfolio-wide approach, combining a high-level screening of the Council’s estate with an early-stage feasibility assessment of the most promising opportunities. It will also consider the potential for community energy and other delivery models where appropriate.
The project will help Somerset Council better understand how its land assets can contribute to local renewable energy generation while supporting wider estate management objectives. We look forward to sharing the outcomes and key learning once the work is complete.
Bristol City Council Hallen Marsh Clean Growth Hub
We are supporting Bristol City Council (BCC) by commissioning a report to update the assessment of the Clean Growth Hub (CHG) and the renewable energy potential of the council-owned greenfield site of Hallen Marsh. CGHs involve multiple organisations coming together in a small geographical area, to share or pool resources, with the aim of decarbonising in a more efficient way than they might have done working alone. This project will build upon work previously completed by the West of England Industrial Cluster through the Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan and support the Council to understand the potential of the site.
Torbay Council Solar Sites assessment
Torbay Council’s property portfolio is being assessed to identify opportunities for rooftop solar PV and solar carports across a range of council-owned assets. Sites include the Riviera International Centre, shopping centres, schools, the Grade II listed Torquay Town Hall, and two car parks adjacent to Splashdown Quaywest for potential solar carports.
Hub funding has been approved to undertake a detailed techno-economic feasibility study, providing a clearer understanding of the technical potential, costs, constraints, risks, timelines and delivery options for solar deployment across the portfolio.
Re-powering Kernow Solar Park
Kernow Solar Park, located adjacent to Cornwall Airport Newquay, is being assessed to explore opportunities to improve performance through repowering existing infrastructure and, if feasible, extending the solar arrays.
Hub funding has been approved by the Programme Board, with ZLC Energy appointed by the procurement panel to deliver the study. Project mobilisation is due to begin following a kick-off meeting at the end of July. The feasibility work will provide a clearer understanding of current performance, technical options, costs, and delivery pathways for the site.
Our Project Development Team work directly with local authorities and other public sector bodies, providing fully funded support to help with scoping, project design, and unlocking the finance to progress projects.
If you work in the public sector and need help or guidance with a renewable energy generation project contact the Hub and one of our project managers will be in touch.