Solar developer, Freewatt, has announced plans to extend a 3.3MW solar farm in West Lindsey to 14MW.

The Lincolnshire developer is planning on installing 56,000 extra solar panels across 25 hectares of land. Freewatt says that the planned extension represents an investment of more than £12 million.

The company has placed a large emphasis on its efforts to increase the biodiviersity of the proposed site. The five fields that will host the extension will be landscaped with wildflowers sown onsite. All existing hedgerows will be retained, with extra hedges planted to help reduce site visibility. All hedges will be allowed to grow to 2.5 metres to ensure they stand taller than the 2.2 metre high solar arrays.

“This is a considerable investment in the infrastructure of the county and will ensure the area continues to make great strides in providing green energy for the future,” said Freewatt CEO Julian Patrick.

“Freewatt is owned by locals, staffed by locals and still based in the area and we are fiercely proud of the work we are doing to provide the county with clean energy and a green economy.

“This project will be another important step towards making the county greener as well as providing valuable work for local companies. Over its life the project will bring millions of pounds of Whitehall payments into the county.”

Freewatt estimates that the clean energy generated will amount to a carbon saving of 7,300 tonnes per year as well as enough electricity to power one in 10 houses in West Lindsey.

Plans will be lodged with West Lindsey District Council and are due to be considered in the summer.