The developer of a major new Midlands solar park has unveiled a multi-million pound partnership that will lead to British steel being exclusively used to construct the site.
Great North Road Solar & Biodiversity Park, near Newark, would produce enough clean energy to power every home in Nottinghamshire.
The site’s developer, Elements Green, has announced a new multi-million-pound partnership with Pro Renewables which will also help to create a further jobs boost for the local area.
“This partnership means GNR Solar & Biodiversity Park would be the largest solar development in the UK to use mounting frames constructed using only British steel,” said Mark Noone, UK Project Director.
“And not only does the deal with Pro Renewables mean we are committed to using only steel made in the UK, but British labour will be utilised to manufacture our mounting frames – creating new job opportunities in Newark and Sherwood.
“These are part of our wider commitment to ensure that the benefits of the development can be felt in more ways than just cheaper bills and a healthier planet.
“We are determined that the site will leave a positive legacy – be it in the local economy or the environment – and this partnership is further evidence that Great North Road will enhance this area.”
An estimated 6,637 miles of steel would be used for the site, enough to stretch from London to Kuala Lumpur, while the gross weight of 32,655 tonnes is the equivalent of three Eiffel Towers.
The steel will be produced at a UK electric arc furnace due to come online in 2027 when construction on the park is scheduled to commence, before becoming fully operational two years later.
And Mark said that using British steel will further enhance the park’s eco-credentials, adding: “Using electric arc furnaces will substantially lower carbon emissions during the steel’s production, as blast furnaces are among the largest emitters of carbon.
“Buying British means not importing steel, which helps reduce the project’s carbon footprint in the transportation of materials, which will lead to significant savings throughout the process.
“UK energy bill reduction is harder to achieve if we don’t purchase Asian solar modules, however, UK steel is competitive for manufacturing mounting frames. This helps us strike the balance between backing British business and bringing down energy bills.”
In addition, using British steel will lead to an estimated 650 fewer HGV movements due to onsite manufacturing.
Not only will Great North Road create around 400 jobs during the construction phase, but the new partnership will lead to a further ten roles due to onsite manufacturing, with Pro Renewables training local recruits from the Nottinghamshire area as part of that process.
“Pro Renewables is delighted to partner with Elements Green on the GNR Solar & Biodiversity Park Project,” said Brian McGhee, the company’s Managing Director.
“We are working together to develop innovative solutions to manufacture the solar frames required for such a significant project.
“By using British Steel together with advanced manufacturing, we can significantly reduce the project’s carbon footprint whilst reducing the number of vehicle movements required which will benefit local towns and villages.
“Wherever possible we will look to the local workforce to recruit and train employees to be involved in the manufacture and construction of the solar frames for the GNR Project.”
Currently Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park is in the pre-application stage.
