Ministry of Defence plans solar panels to help power Bassingbourn Barracks

The Ministry of Defence wants to build a new solar farm to power Bassingbourn Barracks.

A report submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council sets out the plans by the MoD to install ground level solar panels on 4.5ha of land in the east of the barracks to improve the site’s energy resilience.

These would power 35 per cent of the barracks’ annual energy consumption.

Bassingbourn Barracks is an active training ground for infantry. In addition to the military base, it has homes and a sports centre.

The barracks was previously a military airfield, but the runway is now disused. However, the MoD said it remains in use for “operational defence purposes”.

An Environment Impact Assessment screening opinion report was submitted to the district council by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which is part of the MoD.

The report said: “The Ministry of Defence owns a diverse estate, including naval bases, barracks, airfields and other defence facilities.

“DIO as part of the MoD, plays a vital role in supporting defence and is responsible for all acquisition, disposal, and allocation of assets in the UK and abroad.

“The MoD has identified a need to deliver photovoltaic (PV) arrays at scale across the Army estate.

“The scheme intends to make a significant positive environmental impact, contribute to the reduction of imported energy consumption and provide energy resilience.”

The panels would last around 25 to 35 years, and each solar module would stand one metre wide and two metres tall.