Installation of the Army’s first solar farm supports Net Zero ambitions

Increasing renewable energy across the defence estate

Spanning approximately ten acres, Centrica Business Solutions has constructed a 2.3MW solar farm at the Army’s Defense School of Transport in Leconfield, comprised of 4,248 Trina Vertex panels, which is predicted to supply the DST with one third of its electricity needs. The solar array is the first of four pilot sites delivered as part of Project Prometheus to increase renewable energy across the defense estate.

Defense Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said, “This multi-million pound investment reaffirms our commitment to Net Zero 2050 and developing a more sustainable service. Significant investment will result in a more efficient and environmentally friendly estate.”

Demonstrating leadership in meeting Net Zero

The three further pilot solar installations will be constructed at Duke of Gloucester Barracks, South Cerney, Gloucestershire; Rock Barracks, Suffolk; and Baker Barracks on Thorney Island, Sussex, with the aspiration to deliver a further circa 80 solar farms across the Army estate in the next ten years.

Together, the four pilot sites will result in $1,378,755 in efficiency savings and reduce emissions by 700 tCO2e (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) per year. These cost savings will be reinvested into Army infrastructure and help to reach the Army’s ambition of Net Zero by 2050.

“It’s been a privilege to work alongside the Army to deliver its first major solar scheme here at DST Leconfield.,” said Greg McKenna, Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions. “It will require a monumental effort to reach Net Zero, but by showing leadership on sustainability and carbon reduction, the Army has put in place a template which the rest of the public sector and industry can replicate