Opinion: We Have Made the Case for Our Solar Farm Comprehensively

Published on: 6 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 6 Nov, 2024

By Will Davies

Chief Operating Officer for the University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is proud to be bringing our application to build a 12.2-megawatt solar facility to Guildford Borough Council’s Planning Committee tonight.

If approved, this will be the first ground-mount solar facility anywhere within the boundaries of Guildford Borough Council. It is simply unsustainable – pun intended – for opponents of the scheme to profess support for solar generation, just not here.

The time for action is now. We have comprehensively demonstrated that there is no viable alternative location for this facility on our land and there are no other current plans for any substantial solar generation facilities in Guildford.

For the council and the university to deliver our net zero by 2030 commitments, this scheme is essential. It takes its place alongside our wider plans to add solar to rooftops and car parks, and to increase our energy efficiency. Some responding to our application argue we should do these instead. The fact is we have no alternative but to do all of these things.

It is telling that Surrey County Council figures show our relatively modest solar scheme will boost the entire county of Surrey’s renewable energy generation capacity by a startling 13 per cent. This demonstrates quite how much needs to be done for our county to deliver the tangible projects necessary to achieve net zero.

The consequences of inaction are frightening. Government forecasts indicate that the proportion of good quality, food generating farmland will fall from 38.1 per cent to 11.4 per cent in just 25 years on current mid-range climate change scenarios. The parallel impacts on biodiversity do not bear thinking about. There is no time left to kick this can down the road.

In contrast, our scheme will deliver a biodiversity net gain of over 20 per cent – exceeding local targets and significantly exceeding national targets for schemes of this type.

For the university, and for the local community, this project is essential. First, our energy costs soared as a result of the energy crisis, and second there is insufficient supply in the local grid. This scheme will cover 34 per cent of the university’s electricity needs – making a huge contribution to our net zero commitments, but also cutting our unsustainable energy bills, increasing our energy security and reducing pressure on the local grid.

Without the scheme, our financial stability is at risk. When our presence in Guildford makes an overall contribution of 14,500 jobs to the borough, and a £1.1 billion economic contribution, this is a concern for anyone locally.

We also make significant contributions through our research to local, national and international communities – including in terms of scientific progress on climate change and sustainability. The University of Surrey is integral to the economic and social fabric of Guildford.

This scheme is fully in line with local and national planning policies and climate change plans. We will make this case to the Planning Committee tonight (Wednesday, November 6).

We hope, for the sake of the environment and for the sake of the local economy that the application is approved. And we sincerely hope that others follow our lead and install renewable energy projects in Surrey. Without this leadership, our climate and our communities are in real jeopardy.