Plans for major floating solar farm in South Cumbrian port

Unique plans have been revealed for floating solar panels in a South Cumbrian port.

Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns and operates the Port of Barrow, has launched an ambitious masterplan to drive growth and strengthen the local economy.

It said it was in response to a wave of significant investment coming to the region by 2040 and beyond.

Its first major project from the masterplan is the Barrow EnergyDock.

What is Barrow EnergyDock?

This is a proposal for a floating solar array in Cavendish Dock.

It would be the largest floating solar array in the UK.

The array will have a generating capacity in the region of 35MW to 40MW of renewable power, which is likely to be used by BAE Systems in its efforts to achieve net zero and better control the cost of electricity at the port.

What is floating solar?

With floating solar, the panels are mounted on floating pontoons, which are fixed at an optimum angle for the solar panels.

The floating pontoons will be secured to the base of the dock by an anchoring system.

This would be a unique installation that will use the very latest technology and is designed to meet industries growing demand for zero-carbon energy.

What would a floating solar array look like in Barrow’s Cavendish Dock?

The proposed array would cover just 30% of the available area in the dock, and would host 47,000 panels.

These panels will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 10,300 homes each year.

Floating solar is a relatively new technology – the first floating solar installation was in Japan in 2007 – and can sit alongside existing activities without giving up land that could be given to other uses.

What effect will Barrow EnergyDock have on the surrounding area?

A range of marine, coastal waterbird and terrestrial surveys in and around Cavendish Dock have already been undertaken.

Preliminary results suggest no significant impacts are expected from the development of the Barrow EnergyDock.

Any mitigation and enhancement measures will be discussed with appropriate stakeholders as part of the planning process.

Utilising just 30% of the dock will allow all current leisure activities in the dock to continue and leaves space for any future proposals.

What stage is Barrow EnergyDock at now?

The project was announced in September, when ABP introduced its vision for the Port of Barrow.

The first public consultation on the project took place at the Forum in Barrow on September 25, and following a second public consultation, it is hoped a planning application will be submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council in January.

How can I find out more about the Barrow EnergyDock project?

ABP is hosting a public consultation in The Gateway Room at the Forum in Barrow on Wednesday November 20.

Members of the project team from ABP, and Green Cat Renewables, an environmental and engineering consultancy will be on hand to answer your questions about the project.

This exhibition is being held to give people an opportunity to find out more about the proposed development and the environmental impact assessments underway as part of the planning process.

People are invited to drop in between 2pm and 7pm.

ABP said community feedback was highly valued by the project team so it was hoping as many people as possible can attend the event.

For anyone who cannot attend the drop-in event, email barrowenergydock@abports.co.uk