Work completed at new solar energy farm in Lancaster

Work has been completed at a new solar energy farm in Bailrigg, Lancaster, generating renewable energy to help fund the city’s vital council services.

Burrow Beck Solar Farm, which is set across two adjoining sites north of Bailrigg Lane by Lancaster University’s campus, is expected to generate around 3,735 MWh of renewable energy each year – the equivalent annual electricity use of around 1,500 three-bedroom homes.

Planning permission for the farm was granted in September 2024, despite objections from local residents. This came after Lancaster City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and subsequently set targets to reduce carbon emissions within the district. 

The ground-mounted solar farm has been fully energised since July 2026, with the electricity currently sold to the National Grid to create a new source of income to support council services.

Lancaster City Council said that the completion of Burrow Beck Solar Farm marks a major step forward for renewable energy generation in the area, whilst also creating a long-term programme of habitat creation and nature recovery.

Together with the council’s solar installations at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre and Gateway, Burrow Beck will contribute to the generation of more than 5GWh of renewable electricity each year, more than the council’s estate typically imports from the grid.

Based on current forecasts and energy prices, the installations combined is expected to bring in around £550,000 per year and help insulate the council from rising energy costs.

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As well as generating clean, renewable energy, the agricultural land on the farm’s site will be transformed into the area’s first habitat bank, subject to registration. Native wildflower seed has been sown across four hectares, together with new hedgerow, tree and aquatic planting, to establish rich ecological habitats where wildlife can thrive.

Ecologists predict that the project will deliver an increase in biodiversity in the farm of approximately 90 per cent, along with 19 additional biodiversity units, which could support future council projects or be sold locally to meet off-site development Biodiversity Net Gain obligations.

Councillor Sam Riches, cabinet member with responsibility for climate action, said: “Burrow Beck is an excellent example of how council-owned land can deliver clean energy, income and substantial long-term benefits for nature at the same time.

“By investing in clean energy, we are helping to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change and creating opportunities for future innovation that will support our communities.

“It also reflects the council’s wider commitment to protect and enhance the district’s unique ecology for decades to come and I’m excited to see the difference this project will make as the habitats mature.”

The habitats will take several years to fully develop, and will be managed and monitored under the newly approved Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan for at least 30 years.

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