Planning consent has been given for EDF Renewables’ (EDF R) Sutton Bridge solar farm by South Holland District Council.
The local authority has given permission for the project to go ahead after a period of consultation in what will be the largest solar project developed by EDF Renewables in the UK.
The 49.9 MW solar farm will be capable of generating enough low carbon renewables electricity for the domestic needs of 16,100 households annually, saving around 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, and enabling the UK to meet clean energy demands for the electrification of transport and heat.
EDF Renewables Head of Solar, Ben Fawcett said, “We are very pleased to receive planning consent for this project which we believe is a great site for solar as it is suitably sunny and has a nearby grid connection. Through additional planting, including native species hedgerows we will encourage biodiversity as well as reduce any visual impact of the development.
“We are an experienced developer and we want to work with the communities in the local area to keep them up to speed on the progress of the project. We also want to discuss with local people the implementation of the community fund which will have a value of £10,000 every year once the project is up and running.
“Sutton Bridge is at the forefront of several solar projects we have planned in the UK. Our renewables projects will enable us to contribute to the UK’s green economic recovery from COVID-19 and help the country accelerate to a net zero future .”
The project team will now explore battery storage and the potential for future electric vehicle (EV) charging possibilities at the site too. Along with solar power, battery storage and EV rapid charging are both significant enablers for the UK’s goals to reach net zero by 2050.
