Proposed Oswestry business park could face energy shortfall
Sources of energy must be found to supply a proposed 60-acre business park after a survey revealed a potential shortfall.
Shropshire Council is considering tenders for a small-scale low carbon energy project to serve the Oswestry Innovation Park which has been planned for a site just off the A5.
The business park on the edge of town is expected to create 1,500 jobs and attract some lbig-name companies.
An infrastructure assessment undertaken earlier this year identified a potential shortfall in the supply network operated by Scottish Power Energy Networks.
The energy company plans to upgrade the network but the additional electricity will not be available for another six years.
The report said: "The employment site is likely to require 7.5-10 MVA and current off-site capacity is 1.6 MVA. Scottish Power is proposing to reinforce the networks, however, additional capacity will not be available until 2022.
"While the development programme assumes that the site will be serviced by 2022, major upgrades are required including the re-routing of the 33kV cable and directional drilling underneath the A5, and are outside the control of the council. Any delays could impact upon the development programme."
The local authority says there is a budget of between £10,000 to £12,000, provided by the Marches LEP fund, and is inviting applications to take on the work.
It has also suggested that a renewable energy scheme would benefit a planning application for 600 homes earmarked for a nearby field, as well as Maesbury Road Industrial Estate, Oswestry Leisure Centre and North Shropshire College.
Earlier this year deputy leader of Shropshire Council, Councillor Steve Charmley said he hoped building would commence before the end of the year.
However, there has been a number of setbacks, which Councillor Charmley said was "frustrating", including problems with access to the site.
It was originally thought traffic would access the business park from the Mile End roundabout, but Highways England is now looking into alternative options - including slip roads off the busy A5.
The deadline for applications is 12pm on November 13.
