Harnessing Solar Power: Weeton Barracks Leads the Charge in Sustainable Defence Infrastructure
In a significant move towards sustainable energy within the defence sector, construction has commenced on a pioneering solar array at Weeton Barracks in Lancashire. This cutting-edge project is set to generate over one-third of the site’s energy needs, marking a substantial stride in the British Army's commitment to renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
A New Dawn Under Project Prometheus
Funded under the British Army’s ambitious Project Prometheus, a scheme dedicated to increasing renewable energy across the military estate, the Weeton Barracks solar array exemplifies the fusion of innovative construction and sustainable technology. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded the project to Mitie and Custom Solar, leveraging their expertise to bring this vision to fruition.
The installation will feature 1,638 photovoltaic panels spanning approximately 3,600 square meters, repurposing land previously occupied by defunct hangars. Once operational later this year, the array is projected to generate 648 MWh annually, satisfying 35% of the barracks' energy requirements. This initiative not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also delivers significant cost savings to the taxpayer.
Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Walkworth RE, Assistant Head of the Army’s Sustainability, Efficiency and Exploitation team, emphasised the project's dual benefits: "By increasing the supply and availability of renewable energy on army sites, we are building a more sustainable estate that will enhance our energy resilience and support operational capability, while protecting the environments where our people live, work, and train."
Biodiversity and Renewable Energy: A Symbiotic Relationship
Beyond its impressive energy credentials, the project places a strong emphasis on ecological enhancement. The area surrounding the solar array will be planted with a diverse mix of grasses, shrubs, and bushes to promote biodiversity and create new habitats for local wildlife. This holistic approach reflects a growing trend in construction where sustainability and environmental considerations are integral to project design.
Major Peter Reid, 1 LANCS Quartermaster, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: "It is excellent to see the significant investment in renewable energy here at Weeton Barracks, which will reduce our impact on the environment through on-site electricity generation. The new solar farm will also bring additional benefits by protecting and enhancing the local wildlife and providing us with a platform for local engagement and learning."
Implications for the Construction Industry
For professionals in the construction sector, the Weeton Barracks project serves as a benchmark for integrating renewable energy solutions within infrastructure developments. It demonstrates how collaborative efforts between organisations like the DIO, Mitie, and Custom Solar can lead to innovative outcomes that satisfy both operational needs and environmental responsibilities.
Katie Owen, DIO’s Project Manager, highlighted the project's significance within the broader context of Project Prometheus: "This is the first ground-mounted array to be started under the second phase of Project Prometheus and follows from the success of the first phase of the work. Once complete, a significant proportion of Weeton Barracks’ energy needs will be met by electricity generated on site."
A Step Forward in Sustainable Defence
The Weeton Barracks solar array is part of a larger movement within the British Army to embrace renewable energy sources. Previous successes under Project Prometheus include solar installations at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield, Baker Barracks on Thorney Island, Rock Barracks in Suffolk, and Duke of Gloucester Barracks. The second phase of the project has already seen over 1,200 roof-mounted solar panels installed across army garrisons on Salisbury Plain Training Area.
Such initiatives underscore a broader commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of military operations. Lieutenant Colonel Ed Brooks from the Army's Basing and Infrastructure team noted the strategic importance of such projects in enhancing energy resilience and operational capability.
Industry Collaboration: Building a Sustainable Future
Gary Sucharewycz, Sales Director for Solar and Storage at Custom Solar, part of Mitie, expressed pride in contributing to this transformative project: "We’re proud to be supporting the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on this major step on its path to decarbonising the British Army’s estate. Strengthening our existing partnership with the DIO, we look forward to bringing our expertise in large-scale solar infrastructure on this latest project towards developing more high-performing places for military personnel to live and work."
This collaboration highlights the critical role that private sector expertise plays in advancing public sector sustainability goals. For the construction industry, it presents an opportunity to lead in the adoption of renewable energy technologies, setting new standards for future projects across various sectors.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Horizon of Renewable Energy
The success of the Weeton Barracks project could serve as a catalyst for similar initiatives at other military sites. Potential locations under consideration include Kinloss Barracks and Glencorse Barracks in Scotland, Bassingbourn Barracks in Cambridgeshire, the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester, Larkhill Garrison in Wiltshire, and the Army Air Corps Centre in Hampshire.
Such expansion underscores the scalable nature of renewable energy solutions within large estates and the construction industry's capacity to deliver on these ambitious projects.
The commencement of the solar array at Weeton Barracks is more than a milestone; it's an invitation for the construction industry to reimagine the possibilities of sustainable infrastructure. It challenges professionals to incorporate renewable energy and biodiversity enhancement into the core of project planning and execution.
As climate concerns continue to shape industry priorities, projects like this serve as tangible examples of how environmental responsibility and operational efficiency can coexist. They encourage a proactive approach to sustainability, urging industry leaders to pioneer innovative solutions that have lasting positive impacts.
For further details on the Weeton Barracks solar array and Project Prometheus, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. Exploring the methodologies and collaborations that make such projects possible can provide valuable insights for future sustainable construction endeavors.
Embracing a Sustainable Future
The initiative at Weeton Barracks embodies a progressive shift in the way infrastructure projects are conceived and executed within the defence sector. By harnessing renewable energy and fostering biodiversity, the project sets a precedent that extends beyond military applications.
For those in the construction industry, it serves as a powerful reminder of the role we play in shaping a sustainable future. It's an opportunity to reflect on our practices, innovate, and lead the charge in integrating sustainability at every level of development.
A Call to Action
As we witness the transformation at Weeton Barracks, the message is clear: sustainability is not just an add-on, it's a necessity. It's time for the industry to embrace renewable technologies, prioritise environmental stewardship, and collaborate across sectors to build infrastructures that are resilient, efficient, and kind to our planet.
The groundwork laid by initiatives like Project Prometheus provides a roadmap. Now, it's up to us to follow it and, in doing so, construct not just buildings and facilities, but a legacy of responsible development for generations to come.
A New Dawn Under Project Prometheus
Funded under the British Army’s ambitious Project Prometheus, a scheme dedicated to increasing renewable energy across the military estate, the Weeton Barracks solar array exemplifies the fusion of innovative construction and sustainable technology. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded the project to Mitie and Custom Solar, leveraging their expertise to bring this vision to fruition.
The installation will feature 1,638 photovoltaic panels spanning approximately 3,600 square meters, repurposing land previously occupied by defunct hangars. Once operational later this year, the array is projected to generate 648 MWh annually, satisfying 35% of the barracks' energy requirements. This initiative not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also delivers significant cost savings to the taxpayer.
Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Walkworth RE, Assistant Head of the Army’s Sustainability, Efficiency and Exploitation team, emphasised the project's dual benefits: "By increasing the supply and availability of renewable energy on army sites, we are building a more sustainable estate that will enhance our energy resilience and support operational capability, while protecting the environments where our people live, work, and train."
Biodiversity and Renewable Energy: A Symbiotic Relationship
Beyond its impressive energy credentials, the project places a strong emphasis on ecological enhancement. The area surrounding the solar array will be planted with a diverse mix of grasses, shrubs, and bushes to promote biodiversity and create new habitats for local wildlife. This holistic approach reflects a growing trend in construction where sustainability and environmental considerations are integral to project design.
Major Peter Reid, 1 LANCS Quartermaster, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: "It is excellent to see the significant investment in renewable energy here at Weeton Barracks, which will reduce our impact on the environment through on-site electricity generation. The new solar farm will also bring additional benefits by protecting and enhancing the local wildlife and providing us with a platform for local engagement and learning."
Implications for the Construction Industry
For professionals in the construction sector, the Weeton Barracks project serves as a benchmark for integrating renewable energy solutions within infrastructure developments. It demonstrates how collaborative efforts between organisations like the DIO, Mitie, and Custom Solar can lead to innovative outcomes that satisfy both operational needs and environmental responsibilities.
Katie Owen, DIO’s Project Manager, highlighted the project's significance within the broader context of Project Prometheus: "This is the first ground-mounted array to be started under the second phase of Project Prometheus and follows from the success of the first phase of the work. Once complete, a significant proportion of Weeton Barracks’ energy needs will be met by electricity generated on site."
A Step Forward in Sustainable Defence
The Weeton Barracks solar array is part of a larger movement within the British Army to embrace renewable energy sources. Previous successes under Project Prometheus include solar installations at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield, Baker Barracks on Thorney Island, Rock Barracks in Suffolk, and Duke of Gloucester Barracks. The second phase of the project has already seen over 1,200 roof-mounted solar panels installed across army garrisons on Salisbury Plain Training Area.
Such initiatives underscore a broader commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of military operations. Lieutenant Colonel Ed Brooks from the Army's Basing and Infrastructure team noted the strategic importance of such projects in enhancing energy resilience and operational capability.
Industry Collaboration: Building a Sustainable Future
Gary Sucharewycz, Sales Director for Solar and Storage at Custom Solar, part of Mitie, expressed pride in contributing to this transformative project: "We’re proud to be supporting the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on this major step on its path to decarbonising the British Army’s estate. Strengthening our existing partnership with the DIO, we look forward to bringing our expertise in large-scale solar infrastructure on this latest project towards developing more high-performing places for military personnel to live and work."
This collaboration highlights the critical role that private sector expertise plays in advancing public sector sustainability goals. For the construction industry, it presents an opportunity to lead in the adoption of renewable energy technologies, setting new standards for future projects across various sectors.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Horizon of Renewable Energy
The success of the Weeton Barracks project could serve as a catalyst for similar initiatives at other military sites. Potential locations under consideration include Kinloss Barracks and Glencorse Barracks in Scotland, Bassingbourn Barracks in Cambridgeshire, the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester, Larkhill Garrison in Wiltshire, and the Army Air Corps Centre in Hampshire.
Such expansion underscores the scalable nature of renewable energy solutions within large estates and the construction industry's capacity to deliver on these ambitious projects.
The commencement of the solar array at Weeton Barracks is more than a milestone; it's an invitation for the construction industry to reimagine the possibilities of sustainable infrastructure. It challenges professionals to incorporate renewable energy and biodiversity enhancement into the core of project planning and execution.
As climate concerns continue to shape industry priorities, projects like this serve as tangible examples of how environmental responsibility and operational efficiency can coexist. They encourage a proactive approach to sustainability, urging industry leaders to pioneer innovative solutions that have lasting positive impacts.
For further details on the Weeton Barracks solar array and Project Prometheus, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. Exploring the methodologies and collaborations that make such projects possible can provide valuable insights for future sustainable construction endeavors.
Embracing a Sustainable Future
The initiative at Weeton Barracks embodies a progressive shift in the way infrastructure projects are conceived and executed within the defence sector. By harnessing renewable energy and fostering biodiversity, the project sets a precedent that extends beyond military applications.
For those in the construction industry, it serves as a powerful reminder of the role we play in shaping a sustainable future. It's an opportunity to reflect on our practices, innovate, and lead the charge in integrating sustainability at every level of development.
A Call to Action
As we witness the transformation at Weeton Barracks, the message is clear: sustainability is not just an add-on, it's a necessity. It's time for the industry to embrace renewable technologies, prioritise environmental stewardship, and collaborate across sectors to build infrastructures that are resilient, efficient, and kind to our planet.
The groundwork laid by initiatives like Project Prometheus provides a roadmap. Now, it's up to us to follow it and, in doing so, construct not just buildings and facilities, but a legacy of responsible development for generations to come.