It is hoped that if all goes according to schedule, construction could get under way within the year on the ambitious project.
Once complete, the solar PV farm – which forms a key element of the Council's Climate Strategy - is expected to generate around 34 per cent of the Council's energy needs and provide a financial surplus of around £13million that can be reinvested in North Ayrshire.
Once the tender period closes, the bid evaluation process will get under way with the outcome finalised later this summer.
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The Solar PV farm proposals will help North Ayrshire Council become one of the first local authorities in the country to reach net-zero carbon emissions within the next decade.
Not only will it provide a substantial amount of clean, renewable energy to supply the local electricity grid, it will also contribute to a reduction in fuel poverty through the availability of affordable energy.
Yvonne Baulk, Head of Service (Physical Environment), said: "We are very excited by the plans to transform what is currently a vacant, former landfill site into a state-of-the-art facility providing clean energy and reducing our carbon emissions.
"In the last few years, we have taken great strides as a Council to lead by example in efforts to curb climate change and have reduced our own carbon emissions by more than 28 per cent through a wide range of carbon reduction projects.
"We have set our own ambitious target of having net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 – we all have a part to play, and we absolutely intend to fulfil ours."
As well as the Nethermains solar farm, the Council is also considering the viability of developing a second facility at Shewalton. Plans are still at an early stage, and the Council is working with colleagues at Strathclyde University to develop the plans.
