Cambridgeshire Police HQ to benefit from solar power thanks to Mayoral Renewable Fund from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston has today announced a successful bid worth £700k to install a solar car park canopy scheme which will contribute towards powering Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s police headquarters at Hinchingbrooke in Huntingdon. 

The Police worked in partnership with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to submit their application to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for the Mayoral Renewable Fund Grant - a £10m grant scheme to develop renewable energy projects locally. The aim of this grant is to contribute to the Government’s ambition to develop 8MW of clean power in support of Clean Power 2030.  

It is anticipated the solar carpark canopy scheme will produce over 350 kW of energy, both supporting decarbonisation goals and generating electricity for the site for both the buildings, heating and future electric vehicle charging. It is estimated the Police will save £87,000 a year in energy costs and 294 tonnes CO2e carbon emissions saved over the lifetime of the project.    

The Commissioner said: “This is great news for the Constabulary and evidences the hard work put in to help create a greener police estate – something all police forces aspire to. 

“As Commissioner, one of my duties is to ensure the force plays its part in addressing climate change by reducing our carbon footprint and working towards Net Zero carbon emissions. 

“This investment is part of a wider estates’ strategy focused on reducing the Constabulary’s carbon footprint across its estate – something that will ultimately save taxpayers’ money.  

“I would like to thank colleagues from our 7-force partnership who have helped us reach this important milestone and also partners at the Greater Southeast Net Zero Hub for their advice throughout the grant application process.” 

“As a large organisation at the centre of community life, it’s important the Constabulary does what it can to create opportunities to protect our limited resources, creating a cleaner environment for future generations.” 

Strategic Estates Director, Jackie Golby added: “This project will create a significant step forward on the journey to Net Zero and generate savings as we move towards a better and greener Police estate.”  

Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “I’m pleased that this Combined Authority grant will deliver substantial savings for the Constabulary, which frees up vital funds that can be re-invested into keeping our communities safe. With energy costs continuing to rise, this shift to solar panel is both essential and forward thinking.  

“By installing them in underutilised areas like car parks, we maximise efficiency without sacrificing valuable farmland. Taxpayer money can be directed towards frontline policing rather than operational overheads.” 

Organisations can achieve net zero by cutting the greenhouse gas emissions they produce and then offsetting any remaining emissions with carbon removal strategies so the net impact on the atmosphere is zero. 

The Government has set an ambitious target to become net zero by 2050