Details have been unearthed of plans for a massive solar farm in Suffolk.
The proposed 250 MW solar farm and battery storage scheme, near Friston in East Suffolk, came to light in papers submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as part of preparations to examine National Grid’s Sea Link project to connect off-shore wind and nuclear power via submarine cable.
The solar farm plans by BNRG for BL Solar 12 (Helios Energy Park) will be looked at by Suffolk County Council in its Sea Link examination. The council is a statutory consultee of Sea Link. It will now consider the potential cumulative implications of it along with the new solar farm and further energy infrastructure.
The solar farm, so large it will be would be considered an NSIP, to be decided by central Government, is close to the consented but unbuilt, National Grid substation at Friston, part of ScottishPower’s plans for offshore windfarms.
Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for devolution, local government reform and NSIPs, said: “With potentially yet another NSIP on their doorstep, this will be difficult news for local communities to take, particularly Friston and Knodishall.
“They are already anticipating the construction of the 30-acre substation at Grove Wood as part of the infrastructure to support ScottishPower’s offshore wind farms.
“Then there are the current Sea Link proposals, LionLink, Sizewell C and now a significant solar and battery farm.
“We knew that National Grid’s official register of connection offers had indicated the Helios proposal, but that potential now feels more real.
“National Grid’s customers must not damage or weaken the mitigation planting in the consented scheme.
“The county council will continue to object to projects where justified and make it very clear to all the parties that must work together, to protect local communities, and the environment, by minimising and mitigating the harm of their schemes.”
A Helios Energy Park spokesperson said: “Solar energy has a key role to play in powering the UK. Our plans for a new solar project with battery storage near Friston, East Suffolk will help to meet growing demand for sustainable power while improving the resilience and capacity of the national grid.
“BNRG is a specialist solar developer and operator with considerable experience of delivering successful clean energy projects. We work alongside our development, technology and investment partners to finance, build, manage and own solar farms that today produce more than 150,000 MWh of clean electricity, with more than 5.5GW of active projects in the development pipeline.
“At BNRG, partnerships are paramount and we have a strong commitment to working with local stakeholders and communities to bring forward our schemes.
“We are working with other developers in the area, including Sea Link, to ensure we co-ordinate all development activities including mitigation measures. We are looking forward to engaging comprehensively with the community around Friston and East Suffolk once we have draft plans to present.”
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