Renewable energy map being drawn up for solar and wind power in Shropshire

It aims to produce a countywide "renewable energy opportunities" map.

The review, funded by a grant from Shropshire Council and put forward by the Shropshire Climate Action Partnership (SCAP), aims to help Shropshire meet its goal of achieving net zero carbon by 2030.

The work being undertaken by environmental planning group LUC will inform future renewable energy development planning across the region, to attract renewable energy developers to the area.

Shropshire’s electricity demand could double over the plan period, and the mapping will help to demonstrate to grid operators, potential developers, major energy users and other stakeholders what future infrastructure will be needed to support the journey towards net zero carbon Shropshire, and where the opportunities arise for solar and wind farm development.

Sustainable

Chris Deaves, chairman of SCAP energy group, said: "We are delighted to appoint this experienced team for this important strategic project.

"The results will help to provide a strategic approach to energy development in the county and promote the development of the local energy industry, which will benefit the region in terms of employment and the sustainable future we need to get to within the next 10 years.

"We are very grateful to Shropshire Council for the grant that made this project possible.”

Adrian Cooper, Shropshire Council’s lead on its climate task force, added: "It is vital that we take this more strategic approach to renewable energy development in Shropshire if we are to keep the lights on whilst also shifting away from fossil fuels.

"Renewable energy development also represents an excellent opportunity for communities and landowners to generate employment and benefit the local economy, and Shropshire Council is keen to see such opportunities explored and developed where conditions are right.”

SCAP is a community-led organisation, set up to co-ordinate a collaborative county-wide community response to the climate and ecological crisis. It developed and published the first Zero Carbon Shropshire Plan and is working with businesses, communities and councils to respond to the emergency through this and many other projects.

Diana Manson, board director for GIS & Visualisation at LUC, said: “We are delighted to provide mapping support to SCAP to identify where there is greatest potential for solar and wind development to contribute to net zero ambitions by 2030.”