Work on solar farm at former colliery site starts

Work has started on a project to build a solar farm at a former colliery site near Chesterfield.

About 5,800 solar panels are being installed on reclaimed land next to Williamthorpe Country Park, off the A617 Mansfield Road, where Williamthorpe Colliery once stood.

The 10 acre (4 hectare) site, owned by Derbyshire County Council, will also be planted with wildflowers and trees to enhance biodiversity and limit visual impact.

The solar panels, which are designed to operate for at least 30 years, will produce about 3m kWh of electricity each year, the authority said.

The installation and connection to the National Grid is expected to be complete by the end of July, the council added.

Williamthorpe Colliery operated from 1905 until it closed in 1970.

Carol Wood, county council cabinet member for environment, said: "We're committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to energy security and efficiency, including clean energy, where it is reliable, affordable, and delivers clear benefits to residents – without increasing costs or reducing local choice.

"While the land at Williamthorpe has been reclaimed, its use is limited and it's not suitable for growing crops.

"With the help of funding from East Midlands Combined County Authority, we're putting this land back to good use to generate income for the council, benefiting local council tax-payers for years to come."

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, said: "This project shows how we can turn land used in our region's industrial heritage into a source of clean, reliable energy.

"By investing in sites like Williamthorpe, we are generating homegrown renewable power, creating long-term value for communities, and supporting the transition to a more sustainable regional economy."

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