Located at a prime position on the English-Welsh border, Bretton Hall is set to become the UK’s largest community-owned renewable energy project.
The soon-to-be solar site occupies around 49 hectares of land, which at present is used solely for sheep grazing.
Unlike most commercial ventures, the 40 MWp solar farm at Bretton Hall will be exclusively owned by local people and investors who share its ethical values. All surplus income will, therefore, be ploughed straight back into the Cheshire and Flintshire area. Looking longer term, the community fund is expected to surpass £100 million over the next 40 years. This is earmarked to support local investment, climate action, community services and new skills.
It is hoped the scheme will reduce carbon emissions by over 6,800 tonnes of CO₂ whilst providing clean power for 8,400 properties. The first phase of the community share offer launched last week, looking to raise up to £610,000 for Phase 1, the first 1.5 MWp installation. It is being backed by £1.95 million from the Welsh Government and a £200,000 loan courtesy of the Development Bank of Wales. Construction of Phase One is scheduled for 2026.
The solar farm is the brainchild of YnNi Newydd, a community benefit society set up with the core purpose of maximising profit to bring sustainable community benefits. Championing the project, PR and Marketing Manager Jacob Calland said that it exemplified what was achievable when infrastructure is controlled by local communities. The Bretton Hall Solar scheme is likely appeal to environmentally conscious locals and interested parties investment planning in Cheshire.
