Funding boost for Tees Valley energy projects

An energy initiative is set to cut emissions and lower bills thanks to fresh Government funding.

Tees Valley Combined Authority has secured £444,738 from the Government’s publicly owned clean energy company Great British Energy to roll out solar projects across three council-owned depots in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar.

The largest installation will see 348 solar panels added to Tofts Farm Depot, in Hartlepool, generating enough clean energy to support a transition to an electric vehicle fleet. 

Fountain Court, in Middlesbrough, will benefit from 199 panels to power this high-use public services building and traffic control centre.

Meanwhile, Dormanstown Depot, in Redcar, will scale up its existing solar infrastructure with an additional 133 kWp rooftop array, helping to save nearly 23 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Officials say the upgrades support the Combined Authority’s net-zero ambitions and form part of a wider £10 million funding package to accelerate local clean energy generation across England’s mayoral regions in 2025/26.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “This funding from Great British Energy is another big step forward in delivering on our ambition to make our region a leader in clean, green growth.

“By investing in renewable energy generation at key depots and public buildings, we’re driving down emissions, cutting costs, and supporting the infrastructure we need for the electric fleets of the future. 

“These projects show how, site by site, we can take meaningful, practical action while keeping services running efficiently for local people.”

Dan McGrail, chief executive at Great British Energy, added: “Today’s support for new clean power projects in every region in England shows our mission in action – providing a lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills, and a cleaner future. 

“It’s important that communities feel the benefits of the energy transition and that we demonstrate the very real benefits it can bring.”

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