Solar farm construction nears start as contract signed

Barkham Solar Farm is set to go live next year, with a contract now signed and construction set to begin in November. Wokingham Borough Council has appointed Equans to build the facility off Barkham Ride.

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The project will generate 31,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to power about 9,400 average UK homes, and will be built on council-owned farmland to the north of California Country Park, to the west of Finchampstead and to the south of Barkham. 

It is set to make more than £1 million for the council annually once up and running, helping fund the borough’s services over the coming years in a period of increased financial pressure.

Building the solar farm is one of the key commitments in the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, an updated version of which was recently agreed.

The project helps to reduce carbon emissions through locally generated electricity and supporting the transition to a carbon neutral borough, while generating income for local services. It had previously been delayed due to national changes to grid connection rules. 

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, executive member for finance and governance, said: “Signing this contract is a major milestone for Barkham Solar Farm and an important step forward for the council.  We know residents expect us to tackle climate change while also protecting the services they rely on, and this project helps us do both.

“Once operational, the solar farm will generate enough renewable electricity to power around 9,400 homes and provide more than £1 million a year in income to help support essential council services at a time of significant financial pressure.

“Alongside the environmental and financial benefits, the project will bring new walking and cycling links, increased biodiversity and hundreds of new trees, creating a lasting legacy for local communities. 

"We’re pleased to be moving into the construction phase and look forward to seeing the project take shape over the coming months.”

Raft of measures for greener future

Barkham Solar Farm is a key part of the council’s work to make Wokingham Borough greener and better prepared for the future.

The new Climate and Nature Strategy, agreed by councillors last week, sets out how climate change is already affecting the borough, with hotter summers, more flooding and less predictable weather. 

It focuses on practical steps that can make a difference, such as generating clean energy locally, improving buildings, making greener travel easier and looking after parks and countryside. Barkham Solar Farm puts these plans into action, along with a host of other environmental measures.

Cllr Lou Timlin, executive member for climate emergency, community safety and public protection, said: “Our Climate and Nature Strategy is about turning our ambitions into practical action that improves people’s lives and protects the borough for future generations.

“Barkham Solar Farm is a strong example of that approach. It will generate clean energy locally, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and support nature through new woodland, trees, hedgerows and grassland. Climate action helps create a healthier borough by protecting and restoring biodiversity, preparing us for more extreme weather, and making sustainable choices easier for residents.”

Improvements to wider countryside

Barkham Solar Farm will see 43,000 solar panels and associated equipment installed, as well as fencing, CCTV and other security measures. Planning permission for the 52-hectare site was approved in 2022.

There will be wider improvements including a new Greenway through the site which connects to the proposed Rook’s Nest Wood extension to the north and California Country Park to the south.

See a larger version of the diagram above

This will also link the Arborfield and Finchampstead to the south of the site, as well as Barkham village to the north. This will offer an attractive traffic free route and help encourage residents to walk or cycle more when moving around the borough.

A signalised pedestrian crossing will be provided where it crosses Barkham Ride.

There will also be planting of 2.66 hectares of woodland to the south, together with other landscaped areas across the rest of the site including meadow grassland, hedgerows and tree planting. This will increase the biodiversity of the site and help to capture carbon emissions.

The council has worked with local charity Freely Fruity to plant about 1,000 fruit trees on the site.

Updates will continue to be provided, including any disruption to journeys in the area caused by construction. Check One.Network for regular updates and to see maps on roadworks in the area.