Dan Hunt

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Associated British Ports say current leisure activities in the port would continue

Plans have been submitted for what has been described as the UK's largest floating solar farm.

Associated British Ports (ABP) said it wanted to install 47,000 panels covering around a third of the available water area of Cavendish Dock in Barrow, Cumbria.

The energy generated would be primarily intended for the town's "advanced engineering sector", namely submarine manufacturer BAE Systems, according to the local democracy reporting service.

Bryan Davies, Divisional Port Manager ABP said: "Barrow Energy Dock is a pivotal step in realising our vision for a prosperous and sustainable future for Barrow."

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ABP

The solar farm would supply energy to BAE systems, which manufactures submarines

In its planning application, it claimed the installation would have the generating capacity to power "the equivalent of approximately 14,000 homes each year".

The panels would be mounted on "floating pontoons fixed at an optimum angle for solar generation," which would be secured to the bottom of the dock by "an anchoring system".

The company also said using Cavendish Dock "preserves port land for manufacturing which has the potential to support jobs and wider economy".

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The company said it had consulted with the angling association, and while there might be "temporary impacts during the construction phase" these would only be "short term, allowing fishing activities to continue, as well as public access to the walkways".

The floating solar farm would be the first major project in ABP's "masterplan" for the port, with a new jetty and bases to serve offshore wind expected to follow.

The application is subject to a public consultation but construction could start in the summer.

It is estimated it will take about nine to 12 months to complete.

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