Construction begins on Oldham's first solar farm
Oldham Council has broken ground on its first ground-mounted solar farm at Wrigley Head in Failsworth, marking the opening move of the borough's Green New Deal.
The panels, being installed by Rochdale firm Vital Energi, will feed about 830,000 kWh of electricity into the grid each year, roughly the amount 310 homes use, with proceeds channelled back into council budgets.
Because the £0 external-finance scheme is paid for entirely from council reserves, every pound earned from selling the power will chip away at future energy bills for public buildings.
Work will finish in spring 2026. In the meantime, the site inside the Moston Brook Green Corridor is being seeded with new trees and wildlife-friendly fencing so that kestrels and hedgehogs can still move through the meadow.
Cllr Abdul Jabbar and MP Jim McMahon visited the field on day one, both emphasising that local suppliers and apprentices will be hired first, giving Oldham youngsters a foothold in the growing low-carbon trade.
At a Glance
| Site | Wrigley Head, Failsworth, inside Moston Brook Green Corridor |
|---|---|
| Yearly output | 830,000 kWh, equal to 310 average homes |
| Go-live date | Spring 2026 |
| Builder | Vital Energi, Rochdale, using local supply chain |
| Funding source | Oldham Council reserves, no external borrowing |
| Green New Deal first | Yes, this is the inaugural project |
Community Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to contribute context.
Leave a Comment