A Wiltshire prison has been identified as a "priority prison" in the Ministry of Justice's (MOJ) plans to minimise carbon emissions.
Solar power could soon fuel Erlestoke Prison, located near the village of Erlestoke and near to Devizes, under new proposals.
The move is part of the MoJ's plans to boost energy efficiency at its prison sites, and it also says the solar panels will help to kick-start the economy which has been damaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
They have been awarded funding to invest in low carbon technologies to help enable post Covid-19 recovery, reduce its carbon emissions and maximise the social and economic benefits for the UK when transitioning to net zero by 2050.
New ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels could be implemented at HMP Erlestoke to help the MOJ fulfill their green goals.
While most solar arrays are installed on rooftops, ground mounted solar panels make use of land space for optimal and high-volume generation, or in cases where a suitable roof isn’t available. Ground mounted PV is most often chosen for commercial properties or utility solar farms.
HMP Erlestoke is set to consume all the energy generated by the panels. The yearly PV energy production is estimated at 222910kWh, equivalent to 11.6% of the prison’s yearly energy usage.
Planning documents, submitted to Wiltshire Council by Bristol-based Cushman and Wakefield planning agents, state: “An initial feasibility exercise has been undertaken to prioritise prison sites where substantial benefit can be achieved both for the MoJ but also for the respective Local Authority in addressing their very own corporate environmental challenges.
"Further to recent discussions, on behalf of our client, the Ministry of Justice, we are pleased to submit a planning application for planning permission for the installation of ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels on Her Majesty’s Prison Land HMP Erlestoke.
"The ground mounted PV installations, which will provide sustainable energy to power the requirements of each prison location, must be delivered by 31st March 2021 to meet the government’s net zero targets across its estate. Erlestoke Prison has been identified as a priority prison site.”
As the second largest central Government estate - accounting for more than 20% of central Government’s total greenhouse gas emissions - the MoJ seek to work with local authorities, such as Wiltshire Council, to collaborate on priority Climate Emergency and Corporate Environmental initiatives in future years.
The MOJ hope the green changes at Erlestoke Prison could benefit the wider county of Wiltshire.
Planning documents continue: “It is acknowledged that cutting carbon emissions is key priority for the Council and in February 2019 the Council resolved to acknowledge a Climate Emergency and to seek to make the county of Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030. "Furthermore, adopted Core Strategy Policy 42 identifies how standalone renewable energy installations, of all types, will be encouraged and supported.
“As such, it is hoped that these proposals will be seen to be a real benefit to HMP Erlestoke and the Wiltshire area more generally.”
The application site, vacant land, for the solar panels measures 0.53 ha. It is located between two existing car parks at the prison.
To view or comment on the proposals, search 20/11600/FUL at planning.wiltshire.gov.uk. The public has until January 26 to comment on the plans.
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