Last week, the solar industry watched as public opinion continued to play a significant role in the planning process. Meanwhile, big battery energy storage plans are pegged for the UK. Solar Power Portal rounds up the top stories.
Legal challenge against 500MW solar NSIP abandoned
As confirmed on Wednesday (21 August), West Suffolk Council and Cambridgeshire County Council withdrew from the process and, as a result, Suffolk County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council were also forced to abandon the legal challenge.
In a statement, Suffolk County Council said it abandoned the challenge due to the “cost of legal fees versus the likely financial return in a successful outcome”. The council emphasised that this made it no longer justifiable to use public funds.
Proposed 30MW solar farm denied planning permission by Wiltshire Council
Wiltshire Council denied planning permission for a solar farm proposal submitted by renewable energy developer Low Carbon.
The final decision document states the reason for refusal was “in the absence of details related to the connection of the panels to the national grid, and the details of any battery storage facilities, the council considers that the proposal would have an adverse impact on the wider landscape, the river system, and its biodiversity.”
Controversial £8.5m New Forest solar farm approved despite strong local opposition
The local district council’s planning committee has granted approval for the 15MW Walkford Moor Solar Farm project, near Walkford Farm in the New Forest. The £8.5 million project, which covers a 29.32-hectare (72.45-acre) site on the border of Bransgore and New Milton, drew strong opposition from Bransgore Parish Council and local representatives, who argued that the development would have a negative impact on the area’s landscape and agricultural potential.
The planning committee’s decision was unanimous, with members supporting the project for its potential to contribute to the region’s green energy targets. The solar farm will be operational for 40 years, after which the land will be restored to agricultural use. According to the planning document, the site will also feature four power stations and a substation, with a specific area left undeveloped due to previous archaeological findings.
Sungrow teams up with SSE Renewables for 320MW BESS
Sungrow, a manufacturer of PV inverters and energy storage systems, has agreed to provide SSE Renewables with 320MW/640MWh worth of its PowerTitan liquid-cooled battery energy storage system (BESS) units for its Monk Fryston project in the north of England. Once completed, this project will be connected to the UK’s highest voltage level grid, increasing grid flexibility in the local area.
EDF Renewables UK plans over 300MW of BESS projects over 12 months
Six BESS projects are currently in construction and scheduled for completion in the next year, with a total capacity of 313MW. EDF Renewables already manages a portfolio of 150MW of BESS projects in operation across the UK. The company states that it plans to deliver up to 2GW of transmission-connected BESS projects in the coming years, with 400MW of capacity already consented.
Simone Sullivan, head of storage at EDF Renewables UK said: “Our upcoming project pipeline will strengthen the UK’s capacity to integrate more renewables and will allow the grid to be more flexible and resilient by managing electricity supply and demand.