Hopes for the years-long project to create a new solar farm to generate electricity for Wokingham and the surrounding area have been rekindled.
The project to create a new solar farm on fields in Barkham has been running for years, and is a key priority for Wokingham Borough Council.
Plans for the solar farm were approved in 2021, during the previous Conservative administration.
It has so far seen tenant cattle farmer Andrew Lake removed from the land to clear the way for approximately 43,000 solar panels.
But progress has been slow, after the council was told by the government that grid connection would be uncertain, leading to the announcement of a delay in November 2025, with the project being put on hold in January this year.
At the time, the Liberal Democrat leadership at the council were unable to appoint a contractor to install the solar panels, which presented a financial risk.
However, a change in outlook means that the council could be in a position to appoint its preferred contractor, Equans.
This update was revealed in a report and discussions at the council’s executive meeting on Thursday, July 30.
A written question by councillor Moses Iyengumwena (Conservative, Hillside) pointed out that the business case agreed in September 2021 was for a project spanning 25 years, rather than the 40 years proposed in a revision.
Cllr Iyengumwena therefore questioned whether this constituted a breach in financial governance, and if all councillors would be given a vote on the new business case.
Answering that, Imogen Shepherd DuBey (Liberal Democrats, Emmbrook), executive councillor for finance and governance, said: “The average net income remains above £200,000, and that test continues to be met.
“The issue for executive to consider is not one of scheme viability, but whether to accept a known residual connection risk, or the financial and programme consequences of delaying the contract award.”
She then stated that there would be no breach in financial governance rules and that the decision to proceed with the project was being made in the public meeting.
Loui Timlin (Liberal Democrats, Evendons), executive councillor for the climate emergency, said: “This project is extremely important, it’s one of the goals of our Climate Emergency Action Plan, and we’re all experiencing the fourth heatwave of the year right now, which provides us with a timely reminder that decarbonisation of the grid is absolutely imperative, and this solar farm will generate clean, green energy, supporting a transition to net zero.”
Council leader Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst), said: “The environmental benefits are undeniable, and the financial benefits are immensely important to the council.
“So we are in the position where we can certainly not afford to forgo the idea of a significant contribution to helping us to deliver services for our residents, given that we’re under such financial pressure.”
The executive unanimously agreed to delegate authority to the deputy chief executive and cllr Shepherd-DuBey to move forward and appoint a contractor.
Equans has provided an offer which must be accepted by a deadline of August 17.
