A solar farm the size of roughly two football pitches has opened at Duke of Gloucester Barracks in South Cerney, as part of the Army’s ongoing effort to improve energy efficiency and support the UK government target of Net Zero by 2050.
Spanning 1.1 hectares and using over 3,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels, the solar farm has been funded under the Army’s Project Prometheus, a scheme that is increasing renewable energy across the Army estate through predominantly ground-mounted solar PV on all suitable Army sites, delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
Each solar farm will generate around one third of the electricity required on site typically saving c£250K per year each. A total of three sites are now operating and when the fourth major site is complete this summer, they will create a combined £1M in efficiency savings. In addition, the four installations will reduce emissions by circa 2,000 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) per year, helping the Army to realise its ambition of a Net Zero carbon emitting estate by 2050.
The Duke of Gloucester Barracks solar farm was officially opened on Wednesday 24 May by Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Basing and Infrastructure and the Army’s Sustainability Champion. The event was attended by DIO, 29 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), councillors representing the parish, district and county, Year six pupils from a local primary school, and the solar farm supplier 3ti.
Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Basing and Infrastructure said:
“I am delighted to open the new solar farm at Duke of Gloucester Barracks. This installation represents another significant step forward to showcase the potential of renewable energy generation, in support of the Army’s commitment to Defence targets for Net Zero.
“By reducing energy demand and increasing ‘green’ supply, we are building a more sustainable Army estate that protects both our operational capability and the environments where our people live, work and train.”
Chris Colley, Deputy Head PMO Regional Delivery (South East), DIO said:
“On behalf of the Army, DIO are project-managing the roll out of the first four pilot Prometheus solar farms, and we are very pleased to see the solar farm at Duke of Gloucester Barracks officially coming online. Project Prometheus underlines the strong commitment in Defence to invest in green energy generation and decarbonise the estate, while generating long term cost savings for the Army and resourcing the route to Net Zero.”
It is excellent to see the significant investment in renewable energy here at Duke of Gloucester Barracks, which will reduce our impact on the environment through on-site electricity generation Lt Col Sedgwick, CO 29 Regt RLC
Throughout the design and build of the PV installation at Duke of Gloucester Barracks, a grassland management plan was implemented to improve biodiversity and protect the rare calcareous grasses found on the site, which provide a rich habitat for insects and butterflies. Native trees and shrubs are also being planted to screen the solar farm from surrounding areas.
Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Sedgwick RLC, Commanding Officer, 29 Regiment RLC said:
“It is excellent to see the significant investment in renewable energy here at Duke of Gloucester Barracks, which will reduce our impact on the environment through on-site electricity generation. The new solar farm has also brought additional benefits to the site, in terms of protecting and enhancing the local wildlife and providing us a platform for local engagement and learning.”
Under Project Prometheus, the Army’s first solar farm opened in 2021 at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield and was delivered by Centrica Business Solutions. The three other sites have been delivered by 3ti: the second PV installation opened at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island in February 2022; Duke of Gloucester Barracks is the third site; and the final site will open at Rock Barracks in Suffolk this summer.
Tim Evans, CEO of 3ti said:
“We are delighted to be involved in the Project Prometheus rollout through design and build of three major solar installations for the British Army. We are extremely proud to be playing a role in supporting the Ministry of Defence to deliver on its sustainable initiatives, while setting the Army on a path to a bright, renewable future.”