Construction of a major new solar farm in Berkshire is due to begin in November, bringing a sizeable boost to renewable energy generation and future council finances.
The 43,000-panel facility will be built on farmland south of Barkham, on land owned by Wokingham Borough Council. Once operational, it is expected to provide enough electricity to power 9,400 homes.
Solar power and new community links
The project is expected to start generating electricity in September 2027, with full connectivity due by 2029. The council has signed a contract with Equans, a carbon-neutral developer, to build the facility.
As well as the solar panels, the plans include new walking and cycling links, more biodiversity and hundreds of additional trees. The council has also worked with local charity Freely Fruity to plant around 1,000 fruit trees on the site.
Wokingham Borough Council expects the solar farm to bring in more than £1m in income every year. Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, the council’s executive member for finance and governance, described the contract signing as an important step forward.
A long-term change for the farmland
The authority said in January that the farm was expected to be built 10 years ahead of schedule. It has previously stated that the land will be returned to agricultural use after 25 years, when the solar farm reaches the end of its lifecycle.
The development has also changed how the site is used in the short term. In 2021, tenant cattle farmer Andrew Lake was told to leave the land to make way for the project. He had rented High Barn Farm from the council and kept 360 cows there.
With construction now approaching, the Barkham scheme is set to combine renewable electricity generation with new planting, active travel routes and a long-term income stream for local services.
Why this is good news for Britain
The solar farm will produce electricity for around 9,400 homes and add renewable generation in England. For the local area, its expected annual income of more than £1m, alongside new trees, biodiversity and walking and cycling links, could support council finances and community amenities.
