Plans unveiled for solar farm

The company behind Scotland’s largest solar farm is eyeing up a new site in Perthshire.

Elgin Energy recently launched its sun-power park at the Errol Estate, generating enough power for more than 3,500 homes.

Now the firm has unveiled plans for a second multimillion-pound development near Abernethy.

If approved, around 40,000 panels will be installed across 55 acres of sheep-grazing land near Cordon Farm, on the banks of the River Earn.

The 10MW facility would be slightly smaller than the Errol plant, generating power for around 3,000 properties.

UK Government subsidy cuts in the last 10 years made the solar sector less financially viable and prompted several projects to be cancelled.

But developers say the projects are proof that solar parks can work well in Scotland and will make a “significant” contribution to reversing climate change.

In papers submitted to Perth and Kinross Council, agents Savils said: “The site will have a capacity of approximately 10MW and has the potential to offset approximately 220,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the 30-year period of the development’s operation.

“This is the equivalent to the average annual UK electricity consumption for approximately 3,000 houses.”

The council is considering the application and a ruling is expected in the coming months.