Barkham Solar Farm Faces Three-Year Delay

Construction of a huge solar farm that is planned near Wokingham could be delayed for three years or more.

Construction of a huge solar farm planned near Wokingham could be delayed for three years or more.

Plans have been in the works for years to create a solar farm on fields in Barkham, replacing land that was previously used by a tenant cow farmer. There were hopes the Barkham Solar Farm could start this spring, but work has been paused.

The pause follows changes to the government’s timetable for connecting renewable schemes to the national electricity system. The new national timetable means projects that had clear timescales, like Barkham, can no longer rely on early connection dates or certainty over how much electricity they’ll be able to export.

Under the original arrangements an initial connection was contracted for 2027, with full connection in 2028. While the initial connection date remains, the full connection is now scheduled for some time between 2031 and 2035.

Wokingham Borough Council says this lack of certainty makes it irresponsible to enter a multi-million-pound contract and start construction now. The council is actively challenging the changes and pressing for the original connection dates to be honoured.

Senior leaders, including chief executive Susan Parsonage, council leader Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst) and the executive member, have written to the organisations responsible and met with network representatives. They are also working with industry partners to highlight the wider impact of the reforms.

Councillor Katrin Harding (Liberal Democrats, Thames), executive member for environment and climate emergency, said: “This delay is not of the council’s making. Barkham Solar Farm was ready to proceed, with planning, funding in place and a clear delivery programme based on connection dates that had already been agreed.

“We recognise that changes to the electricity connection system were needed to bring cleaner, secure energy online. However, it is particularly disappointing that a locally owned project like Barkham, which is ready to start construction, has been delayed – especially when more solar power is needed before 2030 and this scheme could help deliver it.

“While this creates uncertainty in the short term, we remain fully committed to the project and are confident it will be a strong and valuable asset for the borough once it moves forward.”

The solar farm is a key part of the council’s climate emergency action plan and its work towards a carbon neutral borough. By generating renewable energy locally and feeding it back into the grid, the project will help reduce carbon emissions and support secure, sustainable energy. Forecasts also show the farm is expected to generate a significant net income for the council to help fund local services amid rising financial pressures.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter