Exeter’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future has been recognised once again, as the City Council’s innovative Smart Grid & Storage Project at Water Lane won the Sustainable Impact Award at the 2025 Exeter Impact Awards, hosted by Exeter Chamber.
Under Labour leadership, Exeter City Council is determined to put climate action at the heart of everything we do. The Water Lane solar farm and battery storage facility—built on a disused landfill site—generates clean, renewable energy that directly powers the city’s electric refuse collection vehicles, our Materials Reclamation Facility, and Council offices.
This pioneering project, the first of its kind in the region, is a crucial step towards the Council’s ambition to become a Net Zero Carbon city, delivering practical action rather than empty promises.
Cllr Matt Vizard, Labour’s Lead Councillor for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities, said:
“Once again, this great initiative has won the recognition it deserves. But this is about more than awards, it’s about showing what is possible when councils take bold, decisive action. The Water Lane project demonstrates that with political will, emerging technologies can be harnessed to power our communities sustainably.
This is Labour delivering on our commitment to tackle the climate crisis head-on and to build a fairer, healthier future for everyone in Exeter. It is a trailblazer that proves renewable energy and innovation go hand in hand and it shows residents and businesses alike how we can work together to transform our city.”
The Water Lane Solar Farm features 3,700 solar panels generating 1.2MW of clean energy, with battery storage able to store 2MW—providing flexibility between peak generation and demand.
The Smart Grid & Storage Project also includes facilities at Matford Centre, John Lewis Car Park, and Riverside Leisure Centre, where a new 120kW rooftop solar array is already helping to cut carbon emissions and reduce running costs.
The award celebrates businesses and organisations making real contributions to cutting emissions, reducing waste, and driving green innovation. As Exeter moves to the final stage of judging ahead of the awards ceremony on 26 June, Labour councillors are proud to see our city leading by example.
Funded in part by the European Regional Development Fund, this project is proof that collaboration and vision can deliver meaningful change. Under Labour, Exeter will continue to take ambitious steps to reach Net Zero and secure a more sustainable future for all.