A proposed two-megawatt solar farm near Arla Foods’ packaging plant in Oswestry, Shropshire, is nearing approval. Shropshire Council plans to manage the project under a 25-year agreement, selling renewable energy to the plant via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
A proposal to build a two-megawatt solar farm near the Arla Foods packaging plant in Oswestry, Shropshire, is close to approval, with Shropshire Council overseeing the project under a 25-year agreement. Arla Foods, a leading European dairy co-operative known for its focus on sustainability, operates the Maesbury Road Industrial Estate facility where the solar farm is planned.
The solar farm, which has been under discussion since 2021, is designed to generate renewable energy for the dairy packaging plant. It will be reviewed by Shropshire Council’s planning committee next week, following a positive recommendation from the council’s planning officers. If approved, the project will involve the installation of over 3,000 solar panels on a four-hectare plot of land. The electricity generated will be sold directly to the Arla Foods plant through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), offering the company stable energy costs and reducing its dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Any surplus energy will be sold back to the national grid.
This project highlights an important partnership between local government and the private sector, with Shropshire Council playing a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy initiatives. The solar farm is part of Arla Foods’ broader sustainability efforts, aligning with the company’s goal to minimize environmental impact.
However, environmental concerns have been raised regarding the site’s structural integrity. The proposed solar farm would be built on a former landfill covered by a clay “cap” to prevent water contamination. The council’s environmental protection team has advised careful consideration of the panels’ weight and its potential impact on this protective layer during the planning phase.
If approved, this project would mark a significant step in both Arla Foods’ sustainability journey and Shropshire’s growing role in renewable energy production.
