Cabinet approves plans for a solar car port at the Reef

Date published: 7th March 2023

The Council’s Cabinet has approved plans for a two bay solar car port at The Reef Leisure Centre in Sheringham.

The provision of a solar car port was outlined within the Council’s Corporate Plan and the Net Zero Action Plan.

The solar car port will generate renewable electricity to help supply The Reef Leisure Centre and assist the Council’s transition to Net Zero. Although The Reef was designed with sustainability in mind, this project will reduce the leisure centre’s carbon footprint further, as well as providing protection against future energy price fluctuations and a return on investment to the Council.

This car port will also demonstrate the deliverability of renewable technology, which will, if successful, be rolled out at other locations around the district.

Cllr. Nigel Lloyd portfolio holder for Environmental Services, Climate Change and the Environment, said:

“Introducing innovative measures to our assets is a vital step towards our Net Zero ambitions.

“The solar car ports are a fantastic concept, utilising existing public space with opportunity to use renewable energy to power the surrounding assets, in this case, our energy-efficient leisure centre.

“With a successful implementation of a solar car port at The Reef, we can look to roll out this to other car parks in North Norfolk.”

The Council has committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030 and is exploring options for reducing energy usage and maximising efficiencies across its estate.

Solar car ports are an innovative way to use functional space while generating energy to power the Council’s assets. The Reef was designed to maximise energy efficiency including such measures as solar thermal collectors, which naturally heat the water.