Press Release
08 November 2010
Fantastic opportunities available for Cornish businesses in solar gold rush
Cornwall Council is experiencing enormous interest in the development of large scale ‘solar farms’ across the whole of Cornwall.
Cornwall has the highest sunlight levels in the UK and the recently introduced Feed in Tariff provides attractive financial incentives for renewable energy development.
To maximise the economic benefits of the solar gold rush for companies in Cornwall, the council is doing everything it can to promote the involvement of local companies in these major developments.
Carolyn Rule, Cornwall Council cabinet member for the Economy and Regeneration, said: “There are fantastic opportunities for profitable investment in renewable energy developments in Cornwall and we want to ensure that local companies get the best deal possible.”
The Council and Cornwall Development Company (CDC) are seeking local companies who can offer appropriate services and would like to be included in a directory of companies within Cornwall which can assist developers in the construction of these solar farms. The directory, to be launched at a special event in December, will list a wide range of supply and delivery opportunities for local businesses offering services such as fencing, landscaping, security, mechanical and electrical/mechanical engineering and plant hire.
Julian German, Cornwall Council cabinet member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “There is a great deal of potential for Cornwall and we are very keen to ensure that Cornish based companies get as much supply chain business as possible. It is hoped the Directory will assist local companies to benefit from the huge influx of anticipated inward investment in deploying photovoltaic technology on land across Cornwall.”
In September, Cornwall Council granted planning permission for the UK’s first solar farm at Wheal Jane and four further planning applications are now awaiting consideration. The Council has been approached by more than fifty photovoltaic companies and an unprecedented number of additional applications are expected over the next few months.
The Directory will be launched at a special event for interested businesses to be held at the Alverton Manor in Truro on December 1. As well as launching this new directory the event will raise awareness of this developing market and the full range of economic opportunities that renewable energy will bring to Cornwall.
The event, from 2pm to 8pm, will involve a rolling agenda of speakers and opportunities for suppliers and developers to hold facilitated meetings providing the opportunity for businesses to both comment on and help shape the continued improvement of local business engagement in what has been described as Cornwall's Solar energy gold rush.
It is envisaged that the event will create a large amount of interest.
Local businesses which would like to benefit from this developing supply chain and be featured, free of charge, in Cornwall's new Solar Supply chain directory should contact Nicky Garge at the Cornwall Development Company Tel: 01209 617008
The Low Carbon Team, Bickford House, South Wheal Crofty, Station Road, Pool, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3QG
It is envisaged that the event will create a large amount of interest. To help the organisers gauge numbers businesses are asked to register by Friday November 19.
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