Braintree District Council: Solar panel installation at Witham Leisure Centre

• Location: Braintree District Council

• Purpose: The installation of the panels sought to cut emissions produced by the leisure centres and lower their energy bills to help cut operational costs.

• Description: Braintree District Council worked with RenEnergy to design and install the solar panels and connected system. 407kW of solar panels was installed, which will generate approximately 399MWh to help power Witham Leisure Centre each year. Witham Leisure Centre will save money on energy bills, decarbonise by reducing emissions and become 34.7% self-sufficient on energy. The solar panels were placed on canopies over the car park, so no space for parking was lost.

• Funding: Braintree District Council placed a bid to Sport England’s Capital Swimming Pools Support Fund to fund the project. The council was awarded £375,350 to fund the solar installation alongside the installation of LED lighting. 

• Conservative councillor/ council lead: Councillor Tom Cunningham

• Further links: Solar panel installation at Witham Leisure Centre link