The University of Cambridge plans to build its own solar farm to reach its net zero goal.
The new solar park on farmland on Barton Road in Barton, Cambridgeshire will be used to power the university.
According to the university, the farm would free up the equivalent electricity for domestic use by 7,500 homes.
Before an introduction can take place, the application must be forwarded to the Foreign Minister.
A university official told a South Cambridgeshire Borough Council planning session that climate change was one of the “most pressing issues”.
They said the university feels “responsible to take a leading role in decarbonizing the global economy.”
If implemented, the solar farm is expected to provide 30,457 megawatt hours per year, which the university says will provide 26% of its energy needs.
The solar park is to remain in existence for 40 years. According to the university, the land will then be used for agriculture again.
The representative said this particular site was chosen after reviewing the various properties owned by the university.
It was found that this site had lower quality farmland and it was possible to set up a connection to take the electricity generated to the university.
It is planned to lay an underground cable.
The planning officers of the district council recommended approval of the application.
A report said that while this is seen as “inappropriate development in the green belt,” there are also benefits, including net gains in renewable energy and biodiversity.
Conservative councilman Mark Howell said the plans for the new solar park were an “industrialization of the green belt”.
The liberal democratic city councilor Dr. However, Tumi Hawkins said she believes “the balance of this provision, in my opinion, outweighs the damage to the green belt.”
A majority of city councilors approved the plans.
The solar park is to remain in existence for 40 years. According to the university, the land will then be used for agriculture again.
It must be passed to the Secretary of Energy before any installation work can be carried out.
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