A major new solar installation at Rushcliffe Arena is expected to generate enough clean electricity to meet about half of the building’s annual needs, thanks to funding from the Mayor of the East Midlands.
Over the project’s 25-year lifetime, the solar installation is expected to cut the council’s energy bills by more than £2 million. Those savings will be invested into improving facilities at Rushcliffe Arena for the local communities that use them.
The project became possible after Mayor Claire Ward secured £270,000 from the Government’s Mayoral Renewables Fund to support Rushcliffe Borough Council with the installation. Mayor Claire also matched the funding from the government with £215,000 from the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s New Programmes Fund.
The funding was used to install the largest roof-mounted solar panel array in Rushcliffe borough on the Arena, which houses both the council’s town hall and a popular leisure centre with a swimming pool.
Mayor Claire Ward said: “This investment takes us another step towards a cleaner, greener East Midlands. By installing solar panels on public buildings, we’re cutting bills, making our communities more resilient for the future, and reducing carbon emissions. These projects show how local projects can deliver real change – helping to power our region with affordable, sustainable energy.
“We have a proud history of powering the country, and we are now committed to leading the energy transition. We must continue to build on our progress and work together with partners to create lasting change that benefits both current and future generations.”
The solar panels are already performing well. Over one weekend, they generated 3,000kWh, which is the equivalent of the electricity needed to power two family-sized homes for one year.
The environmental benefits are also impressive, with the solar installation predicted to save more than 1,600 tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 25 years. It marks the latest milestone in Rushcliffe Borough Council’s long-term climate efforts, which have already reduced its carbon footprint by 74% since 2009.
Cllr Neil Clarke, Rushcliffe Borough Council leader, said: “We welcome this investment at one of our flagship leisure centres and the Council’s headquarters on our journey to be carbon neutral by 2030.
“We will continue to work with partner organisations to make our buildings and assets ever greener and be among those leading by example to local businesses and groups.
“It builds on more than £5m of Rushcliffe Borough Council investment on significant carbon saving measures at Keyworth and Cotgrave leisure centres in recent years.”
This announcement builds on the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s (EMCCA) ambitious plans to deliver clean, home-grown energy in the region. By 2029, EMCCA aims to build energy security for local communities by supporting the delivery of at least 5 MW of renewable energy generation projects.