Bluestone National Park Resort has launched a solar farm with 6,200 solar panels as part of its £30 million investment strategy. The solar farm will generate 3,000 MWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power up to 1,200 homes.
£30m Expansion Strategy
Bluestone National Park Resort — located in Pembrokeshire — has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the launch of a new solar farm. The project is a major part of the resort's £30 million investment strategy aimed at expanding its facilities and reducing its carbon footprint.
The newly launched solar farm spans 7.4 acres and is expected to generate around 3,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity each year. This amount of energy is enough to power approximately 1,200 homes annually. The solar farm is equipped with 6,200 solar panels, which makes it a critical element of the resort's sustainable energy plan.
The project marks a significant milestone in Bluestone National Park's journey towards reducing its environmental impact. The solar farm is expected to save around 675 tonnes of greenhouse gasses from entering the atmosphere every year. This is the equivalent of removing 329 diesel vehicles from the road for a year.
A Key Element of Bluestone National Park's Long-Term Strategy
The solar farm is designed with a lifespan of 40 years, thereby ensuring long-term viability for the resort. According to Bluestone, this project will contribute to the resort's goal of achieving net-zero status by 2040. The solar farm is a major component of this plan, which offers a reliable source of clean energy for decades to come.
Marten Lewis, Bluestone’s director of sustainability, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “We’re pleased to open the solar farm. With the project approved over 18 months ago, the team has been working hard to ensure it’s up and running by the end of summer. This contributes to our wider commitment to sustainable development, as we drive down our carbon emissions."
He also highlighted the importance of balancing tourism with sustainability, pointing to the resort's record summer figures as proof that both can thrive together. "Our main aim is to successfully balance tourism with sustainability," Lewis added.
"The solar farm complements the existing initiatives onsite, including a food recycling scheme, staff-commute bus services, onsite electric buggies for guest transport, and using locally sourced biomass to heat the Blue Lagoon Water Park,” he stated.
The Bigger Picture: Bluestone's Commitment to Sustainability
The solar farm is just one of several initiatives Bluestone National Park Resort has undertaken to reduce its environmental impact. In addition to the solar farm, the resort has implemented several other sustainability projects aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and fostering a positive impact on the environment.
The resort's food recycling scheme ensures that food waste is repurposed rather than ending up in landfills. Additionally, staff-commute bus services reduce the number of individual car journeys, helping to lower emissions.
For guests, the use of electric buggies for onsite transport offers a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional vehicles. The resort also uses locally sourced biomass to heat its popular Blue Lagoon Water Park, further reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
Contributing to Net-Zero Goal 2040
These initiatives all contribute to Bluestone's broader goal of achieving net-zero status by 2040. As part of this commitment, the resort is constantly looking for new ways to reduce its carbon emissions and foster sustainability.
Lewis emphasized the significance of the solar farm in Bluestone's overall sustainability plan. "The solar farm is a key milestone in our work to reduce our carbon footprint," he said. "As we work hard to achieve net-zero status by 2040, the solar farm is crucial in ensuring that we are true to our ambitions in response to the nature and climate emergencies."
As Bluestone looks to the future, the solar farm will play a crucial role in helping the resort achieve its net-zero ambitions. The combination of cutting-edge technology, innovative partnerships, and a strong commitment to sustainability ensures that Bluestone National Park Resort is well-positioned to continue leading the way in eco-friendly tourism.