New £540k solar investment to drive down carbon and costs for South Tyneside Council

South Tyneside Council has welcomed £540,000 from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness to install a large‑scale solar energy system at its Middlefields works depot – a project set to save the council more than £1 million in the years ahead.

The investment supports the Borough’s drive towards a greener, more sustainable future while reducing ongoing energy costs. The funding has been awarded through the government’s Great British Energy’s Mayoral Renewables Fund (MRF), administered by the North East Combined Authority.

The project is fully funded through the MRF, with no match funding required from South Tyneside Council.

The project will see a 519 kW solar array installed across the depot roof, generating enough clean electricity to offset 86 tonnes of CO₂ every year. Over its 25‑year lifespan, the system is expected to deliver more than £1.2 million in savings.

Following confirmation of the successful bid in December, work is already underway. Rothwell Plumbing Services was appointed through a competitive procurement process and is progressing installation to meet the March 2026 deadline.

The solar expansion at Middlefields is the latest step in the council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said:

This investment is fantastic news for South Tyneside. Not only will it significantly reduce carbon emissions at one of our busiest operational sites, but it will also deliver substantial financial savings for the Council over the long term.

Projects like this demonstrate our determination to lead by example—cutting carbon, reducing energy costs, and accelerating our transition to cleaner, greener energy sources.

The Middlefields scheme builds on other flagship renewable energy initiatives in the Borough, including the award‑winning Viking Energy Network in Jarrow, energy‑efficient public buildings, and the rollout of low‑carbon technologies across Council assets.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:

We are leading the way in projects which create new green jobs for local people and save taxpayers money at the same time. This investment in solar energy generation at Middlefields is a fantastic example of how the North East is the home of the green energy revolution and will save council taxpayers in South Tyneside more than £1 million in the coming years.

Projects like this do more than just lower emissions – they provide energy security, save money for our public services, and support growth of our local green economy. By investing in local renewable assets, we are making our region more resilient, protecting the natural environment, and ensuring the benefits of the green transition are felt locally.

The solar installation is expected to be completed and fully operational by March 2026.