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Wokingham Signs Barkham Solar Farm Construction Contract

Wokingham Borough Council has signed a construction contract for Barkham Solar Farm, moving a council-owned project toward a November construction start.

A signed construction package moves attention to final engineering, logistics, foundations and field installation controls.
A signed construction package moves attention to final engineering, logistics, foundations and field installation controls.

Contract moves the project toward construction

Wokingham Borough Council says it has signed a contract with Equans to build Barkham Solar Farm on council-owned farmland near California Country Park. The Council published the update on 21 September 2026 and says construction is set to begin in November, with the facility expected to go live next year.

What the Council has disclosed

The Council says the project is expected to generate 31,000 MWh of renewable electricity each year, equivalent to the annual use of about 9,400 average UK homes. It describes the scheme as being on farmland north of California Country Park, west of Finchampstead and south of Barkham. Apex is not a participant in the project.

Buyer impact

Once a construction contract is signed, the critical path shifts from procurement to the release of coordinated field information. The EPC team should lock the module and tracker or fixed-tilt geometry, survey control, geotechnical design values, drainage and access plan, pile or foundation verification process, torque and coating requirements, and material call-off sequence. That reduces the risk of a late foundation or layout change disrupting installation.

Next step for project teams

Use the issued-for-construction drawing set and verified ground data as the basis for the structural package. Apex utility-scale solar mounting solutions can be assessed against the confirmed site loads, corrosion category and construction method. Source: Wokingham Borough Council, “Solar farm construction nears start as contract signed”.

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