Bradford solar farms could reduce council energy costs by 20%

The farms would make Bradford Council 'ahead of the curve' on green issues

Two solar farms in West Yorkshire could save a council more than a fifth of its energy costs, it is estimated.

Sites in Bradford and Keighley are currently being checked for suitability and the farms could be operational by 2026, Bradford Council said.

One of the sites is a council-owned plot in the Odsal area and the other is thought to be land near Sugden End.

A spokesperson said "large-scale green-energy projects like these" could help the council reach its net zero goals.

Property consultancy Eddisons has been appointed to assess the costs, funding and potential design of the two spots.

Both areas are former industrial sites with "some contamination", it said.

Eddisons has not confirmed which site in Keighley is being investigated but a recent report by Bradford Council said the authority was considering land near Sugden End, the Local Democracy Reporting Service wrote.

A recent council report into environmental schemes in the district also revealed the authority had committed £5m to deliver a five-acre solar park at Odsal Top.

It added: "It is estimated that solar energy from Odsal could provide 2.5 MW of electricity, which equates to circa 20% of council electricity costs.

"The capped tip at Sugden End is also being considered and is larger and more stable than Odsal."

Nazar Soofi, Eddisons' head of sustainability and decarbonisation, said: "Over the coming months we will assess the viability of the project and the funding structure that would ensure it makes best use of public money.

"The development of solar farms, which would generate significant levels of renewable energy, would potentially be an innovative use for them and marks out Bradford Council as being ahead of the curve on green issues.

"We will have a conclusive answer on completion of the feasibility studies."