Babraham Road Park and Ride Smart Energy Grid

Creating innovative new ways of integrating renewable energy production into existing infrastructure.

Cambridgeshire County Council is developing an innovative solar generation demonstrator project which will be delivered at the Babraham Road Park and Ride site located just south of Cambridge. The site will harness solar carports and battery storage, with electricity generated being sold to vehicle owners and a local customer.

The project will expand local renewable energy generation, provide extra charging points for electric vehicles, and reduce site running costs. Developed and delivered with design and build contractor Bouygues E&S; Solutions Limited, the Re:fit 3 Framework is being used to guarantee performance and reduce financial and performance risks to the council.

The site is expected to produce 2.5 MW of clean energy while supporting a reduction in fossil fuel use and improving air quality in the local area. The Council hopes to use the site to charge electric buses in the future. Planning permission for the site was received in 2020 and construction is being conducted in stages to avoid disruption to local users.

Babraham Road Park and Ride Smart Energy Grid is the next step in the council’s journey to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. As part of this commitment, they have already developed a successful schools energy programme and created a 12MW Solar Park at Triangle Farm in Soham.