A proposal for the largest solar energy farm in the UK is now likely to have been submitted to the government – but campaigners describe the public consultation process as ‘woeful’.
Published: 24 May 2021, 13:04
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Image: EDF.
Consultation has gotten underway for a 50MW solar farm EDF Renewables is looking to develop between the villages of Flore and Upper Heyford, along the M1 Corridor.
The 49.9MW Glassthorpe farm would utilise existing hedgerows at the site as well as creating new ones to improve biodiversity. A community fund will be created as part of the sites development that would see £10,000 paid annually over its 35-year lifespan.
“This is an excellent site for a solar farm, as it’s suitably sunny, with an agreed grid connection, and the area is well screened,” said EDF Renewables’ head of development Stephen Walls.
This is alongside the principal sponsor Gemini, a cryptocurrency specialist who, like any other sponsor seeks a return on its investment and doubtless measures the effectiveness of every cent.
One can but hope the county council, the county constabulary and the district council are doing likewise on our behalf.
PETER HARVEY, Ely
Clarification on boat race policing accounts
To provide some context to the statutory accounts of Boat Race Company Limited, and the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation, it is extremely rare and almost unheard of to expect the trading subsidiary of a charity to publish a profit and loss account in its standalone financial statements where it meets the definition of a “small” company under the Companies Act.
EDF Renewables has acquired two grid scale solar projects, adding 100MW to its growing UK portfolio.
It has acquired Burwell, a 49.9MW consented project in South East Cambridgeshire from AGR, and it has acquired Porth Wen, also a 49.9MW consented project, this time in North Anglesey, from developer Countryside Renewables. This second site also has consent for a battery storage unit.
Both are expected to be built by the end of 2022, with EDF highlighting that it will work closely with the local communities throughout the process as well as offering a £10,000 annual community benefit fund for each site.
Burwell will include more than a kilometre of new native species planted to enhance biodiversity, with hedgerows and a four metre wide reedbed along the perimeter.
EDF Renewables acquires two solar farms in England and Wales
The solar projects are predicted to collectively produce enough energy to power 19,000 homes
Two solar farms in England and Wales have been added to EDF Renewables‘ grid-scale solar portfolio.
The company has announced the acquisition of the 49.9MW solar project in South East Cambridgeshire from AGR and another 49.9MW in North Anglesey from developer Countryside Renewables.
The latter has also secured consent for a battery storage unit.
It is expected the solar farms will go live by the end of next year and combined are predicted to generate enough energy for 19,000 homes.