UK renewable energy supplier, Good Energy Group has been granted planning permission for three solar sites, but there are concerns the third project's returns will be delayed.
The three sites total 25MW with two plants to be in Dorset, one 5.8MW in size, the other 4.9MW. Commissioning for both is expected in the first half of 2015.
The third is 15MW, and will be located in Wales, however due to grid connection and subsidy uncertainty, Good Energy said it does not expect a significant return from this project until at least 2017 once these issues are resolved. Projects over 5MW in in the UK will not be eligible for the renewable obligation scheme after 1 April 2015 and instead will have to compete for support with onshore wind in the contracts for difference (CfDs) auction.
Juliet Davenport, founder and CEO of Good Energy said the planning permission grant was “excellent news, helping us towards our goal of generating 50% of the electricity our customers need from our own sites by 2016. In addition, once commissioned, the sites will help contribute to their respective county renewable energy targets”.
Davenport added that “each site will also deliver benefits to local people via a community fund and to the surrounding natural environment through bespoke ecological plans”.