Solar and the rural community
The UK goal of net zero by 2050 will require a rewiring of the energy network on a scale not seen since the industrial revolution. The new government has set the target of 50GW of solar power by 2030, tripling the UK’s current capacity. Residential and rooftop solar alone will be insufficient if we are to meet those ambitious targets, meaning that ground-mounted, utility scale solar developments on rural land will be a vital piece of the puzzle.

Inevitably, much of this will come from solar farms of varying scale, which by their nature are almost exclusively sited in the countryside. How, therefore, does Britain marry the needs and concerns of rural communities with the national necessity to decarbonise the power grid? This panel discussion of experts will seek to delve into this issue and explore possible solutions to a delicate balancing act.
Date: 16 October 2024, 17:00 (Wednesday, 1st week, Michaelmas 2024)
Venue: Wolfson College, Linton Road OX2 6UD
Venue Details: Leonard Wolfson Auditorium
Speakers: Dr Nick Eyre (University of Oxford), Rebecca Pullinger (The Wildlife Trusts), Tim Bonner (Countryside Alliance), Mark Owen-Lloyd (Photovolt Development Partners), Dr Emily Connally (Cherwell Collective), Dr Jonathan Scurlock (National Farmers’ Union)
Organising department: Wolfson College
Organiser: Moritz Riede (University of Oxford)
Part of: Earth Emergency Cluster Events
Booking required?: Recommended
Audience: Public
Editor: Moritz Riede