Crewe Alexandra have unveiled an ambitious scheme to create a covered car park and solar farm which will have huge benefits for the environment, local community, and the club.
The project to install more than 3,000 solar panels above parking spaces on the existing car park at Gresty Road has the potential to make the club carbon-negative.
The green energy generated will provide car park users and local residents with access to electric vehicle charging points, and provide new revenue to the club over the long term.
Crewe Alexandra will hold a public consultation event with local residents at Mornflake Stadium on Saturday, February 4 (10am), to explain the details of the scheme.
Director Tony Davison said: “This exciting project offers a huge range of benefits, and we look forward to explaining them in detail to people who attend our consultation event.
“This investment - the club’s largest in more than two decades - will make Crewe Alexandra carbon negative, which demonstrates our commitment to being more sustainable and lowering our environmental impact, in accordance with the EFL Green Clubs initiative.
“It will improve the provision of electric car charging points in the area, which will be available for use by local residents.
“And it will help our football club towards a more sustainable future, with the scheme providing a level of income over time.
“We will borrow a significant amount of money to make it happen, but once that has been paid back it will provide a long-term financial benefit to the club.
“We believe this is a hugely positive plan in all respects, and we are enthusiastic about the prospect of moving it forward over the coming months.”
Each parking space will be sheltered by a structure that contains a solar panel, with a number featuring charging points for electric cars, which could also be useful for visiting supporters who have travelled large distances to games.
The energy generated could be used to power the stadium, or sold to third parties to provide an ongoing source of income.
An application for planning permission has been submitted to Cheshire East Council. If successful, work could start in the spring.
