A SOLIHULL golf club is driving forward with ambitious green initiatives as it aims to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.
The first stage of Copt Heath’s environmental work has seen more than £50,000 invested in solar energy panels on the clubhouse roof in Warwick Road.
Since the installation was completed at the end of June the club has saved nearly £5000 in electricity costs and is on target to cut bills by £12000 per annum.
The reduction of CO2 emission by more than 3100 kg to date is equivalent to planting 190 trees.
Copt Heath is now in discussions with Solihull Council with a with a view to submitting a planning application for a solar farm on land aside the 16th fairway.
The £300,000 investment in a solar farm is expected to generate 220,000 kw hours per annum, significantly boosting the 30,000 kw hours per annum from the existing roof panels.
Future plans include creating a water storage reservoir alongside the course practice area by extending an existing Environmental Agency license to draw water from a bore hole – an initiative which will help maximise natural resources and reduce waste, whilst protecting the course during summer drought conditions.
Copt Heath’s Neil Ridding, who has chaired the club’s environmental and facilities committee, said: “We brought in some energy consultants who were able to demonstrate how much energy we were consuming and where it was coming from.
“As well as reducing costs we strongly believe that as a golf club we should do all we can to protect the environment by using natural resources as this will only benefit the course and our members in the long term.”
Sir Terry Morgan, chairman of Copt Heath added: “As one of the region’s leading golf clubs we have a responsibility to do all we can to protect the environment and our course for future generations.
“By setting an emissions target of net zero by 2030 we are demonstrating a real commitment to get things done.”
