IG Renewables has announced that it has achieved its first planning success for an upcoming solar development in Essex.
The company, which is a UK-based offshoot of Innovo Renewables, has secured planning permission for the Nickerlands Solar Farm, a 28MWp development to be located near Ongar, Essex. The project was originated and developed by a local firm, Anglo Renewables.
This is the first project in IG Renewables’ 3GW solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) pipeline, which spreads across England, Scotland and Wales, to be granted planning permission. Although this project, like many of the earlier projects in this development pipeline, was developed in conjunction with another development firm, IG Renewables notes that most of the total pipeline is now made up of projects it has solely originated and managed.
IG Renewables is keen to express that the project, which sits on 26 hectares of land, has been designed with a high focus on boosting local biodiversity, with wildflower, hedgerow and tree planting set to take place on site. Additionally, a £25,000 community benefit fund, supporting local causes, will be established in the area.
Matt Black, managing director of IG Renewables Ltd said, “It’s fantastic to see the hard work over recent years cumulating in IG Renewables delivering planning permission for its first project, and we have a large pipeline of further projects to follow. Partnering up with Anglo Renewables has been a very positive experience, and their professionalism and deep expertise has been invaluable in bringing this project to this stage. We are committed delivering well designed and suited projects that provide tangible benefits to local biodiversity and the community”.
James Stone, managing director of Anglo Renewables added: “We would like to express our appreciation to the local council for their efficient and positive approach to this application, and we look forward to the significant benefits of renewable energy generation and biodiversity net gain being realised once the site moves into construction. Partnering with IG Renewables throughout this project has been a hugely positive experience, and we are excited at the prospect of progressing further projects over the coming months”.
While this is IG Renewables’ first ever-planning success, parent company Innovo, which operates in Italy and Spain, has already seen significant success so far this year. Last month, Innovo’s Italian branch purchased 11 ready-to-build solar plants spread across Italy, with a total capacity of 66MWp.
