Major London sites to be powered by Dorset solar farm

With more than 91,000 panels, the site will have a capacity of 49.9 megawatts ­– equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 35,000 people.

The City Corporation reports that it will help slash its fossil fuel use and save over £3m in energy costs per year. Some £800,000 has been invested with companies within 25 miles of the scheme, supporting local businesses.

“With this 15-year contract we are actively supporting the City Corporation in mitigating its energy budget volatility and reaching its net zero target”

“The completion of South Farm is a great achievement. I would like to warmly thank all the Voltalia teams and our local British suppliers and subcontractors, who have been working together on this project,” added Sébastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia.

“In the current energy crisis, we are very proud to supply clean and cheap electricity to some of London’s most iconic landmarks. With this 15-year contract we are actively supporting the City Corporation in mitigating its energy budget volatility and reaching its net zero target.”

The deal forms part of the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, which commits it to reaching net zero in its own operations by 2027, and in its investments and supply chain by 2040. It is also supporting the achievement of net zero for the whole Square Mile by the same year. The organisation said it is investing £68m to achieve these goals.

Annual carbon footprint

The City Corporation has been sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity through existing infrastructure since 2018.

It manages 11,000 acres of open space in London and south-east England, including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, and 200 smaller sites in the Square Mile. According to the City Corporation, these sites remove around 16,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere a year, equivalent to 44 per cent of its annual carbon footprint.

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a “globally successful” UK.