New solar farms will total 250 football pitches in area
ONE of the largest renewable energy producers in Europe is looking to build two giant solar farms in Cornwall.
Statkraft has announced the development of three new solar farms in the UK including at White Cross, near Indian Queens, and Treviscoe Farm, outside St Dennis, as well as one in Suffolk.
The solar farms at White Cross and Treviscoe Farm would produce 49.9 MWp and 34.1 MWp respectively.
The 75 hectare site at White Cross, located between White Cross and St Columb Road, south of the A392 road, would generate over 51 gigawatt hours of electricity each year. The site, which is as big as 150 football pitches, could power nearly 14,500 homes.
Meanwhile, with a solar project of 34.1MWp proposed, and 18MW battery, the 52 hectare site, as big as 100 football pitches, at Treviscoe would generate over 33 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power more than 9,000 homes.
The Norwegian green energy firm said the three UK combined solar energy farms would provide 125.5MWp of solar capacity and generate nearly 127 gigawatt hours of electricity per year and power nearly 36,000 homes, including nearly 24,000 in Cornwall alone.
Statkraft also proposes to install an 18MW battery for each of the two Cornwall-based projects and a 55MW battery for the Suffolk-based Greybarn solar farm. The batteries could store the electricity from the solar panels and release it to the National Grid when needed.
Chris Banks, UK business development manager at Statkraft, said the proposed solar farms would include many features to enhance local plant, animal, and insect populations, including new or restored hedgerows, wildflower planting, bird and bat boxes and habitat for bumblebees, making this a great opportunity for local wildlife. He added: “We are excited about the economic and environmental benefits that White Cross, Treviscoe and Greybarn solar energy farms could bring to their local communities, while supporting both Cornwall and Suffolk’s carbon reduction targets as well as the national effort to tackle climate change.”
Statkraft has started a pre-planning consultation process with local residents in and around the tow proposed Cornish sites. Residents in St Dennis parish have been asked for their views.
The firm, which has yet to file a planning application with Cornwall Council, said that, subject to planning approval, all three solar energy farms have the potential to create local jobs and supply contracts during the construction, operation, and maintenance phase of the build, and make a significant contribution to local business rates.
One resident in St Dennis who contacted WMN sister website CornwallLive said she was not keen on having a giant solar farm on her doorstep. She said: “What they’re proposing is going to be huge. We live in St Dennis and we already have the incinerator, the clay works and the power station at Indian Queens. There’s the lithium thing going on as well. Now this. It’s getting a bit much.”
Statkraft said it is looking to file a planning application with Cornwall Council in June with a view to have the six-month work started in 2022.
There is an online consultation available for residents to take part. For Treviscoe, visit https://statkraft. consultation.ai/treviscoe/ and, for White Cross, visit https://statkraft. consultation.ai/whitecross/
‘We are excited about the economic and environmental benefits for local communities’ CHRIS BANKS, STATKRAFT