Plans for one of UK’s biggest solar farms on Kent farmland to be submitted
The largest solar farm ever proposed for Kent could generate enough power for 20% of homes in the county
The largest solar farm ever proposed for Kent could generate enough power for 20% of homes in the county.
Energy firm Low Carbon has revealed plans for a 500 megawatt (MW) facility on Romney Marsh, producing enough energy to power 140,000 homes.
The facility – called South Kent Energy Park – could be built around the village of Old Romney, sitting either side of the A259.
Plans are yet to be submitted but Low Carbon says the site, if built, will become one of the UK’s largest solar farms.
Bosses say the sprawling facility – the equivalent of 840 football pitches – will be connected to the National Grid either via an existing substation in Dungeness or a new substation proposed to be built nearby.
The biggest solar farm currently operating is Llanwern in south Wales, at only 75MW.
The largest one under construction is Cottam Solar in Lincolnshire, at 600MW, while Cleve Hill Solar Park in Graveney near Faversham, which is also being built, will produce 375MW.
Low Carbon plans to submit its proposal to the Planning Inspectorate in 2026, with construction starting no earlier than 2029.
But David Browne, of Canterbury-based solar firm Convert Energy, says he thinks “it could take some time” for the new scheme to be approved.
“Kent has a chequered history with large-scale solar developments, with the Cleve Hill solar park in Graveney drawing massive local opposition,” he said.
“The positioning of this park makes a lot of sense. A huge part of the development costs of a solar park is in the grid connection and upgrade works.
“The existing infrastructure should be capable of handling the output of the solar park.”
He also argued there is “precedent in the area”, as the 18MW Sycamore Solar Farm, commissioned in 2014, is already operating in Old Romney.
“The key for Low Carbon will be getting the local community onside with the project,” Mr Browne added.
The company is taking comments on its proposal online until December 20, and is hosting in-person events for residents to attend at Ivychurch Village Hall on Tuesday, November 26, and in New Romney Scout Hall on Wednesday, November 27.
An online event will also be held on Thursday, December 12, from 6.30pm to 8pm.
A battery energy storage facility (BESS) is also proposed in the project, which will allow the power to be held and deployed when needed.
BESS facilities have been controversial elsewhere – with Swale Borough Council refusing planning permission for the safety plan for the BESS at Cleve Hill Solar Park.
However the council was found to have done so wrongly, and its decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.
Many cite safety concerns about BESS – which use batteries which can’t be extinguished with water if they catch fire.
Cllr Paul Thomas (Ind), who represents the area on Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), said: “I want to see a bit more detail because it says in the outline as well as a solar farm they want to put in a battery system.”
He said he will attend one of the events to ask the developers if the land will still be usable for sheep grazing.
He added: “What impact is it going to have on agriculture and agricultural jobs across the Marsh?”
“We’re in this difficult position about wanting to decarbonise the grid, which I support.
“I’m a keen supporter of nuclear, for me it’s nuclear first, but of course we have to look at any form of renewable energy.”
Plans for any solar farm of 50MW or more do not go through the local council for permission – they are treated as nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Instead, massive solar facilities need to get a Development Consent Order from the government, after a long permission process.
Shortly after being elected, energy secretary Ed Miliband MP approved several huge solar projects around the country – two of 500MW, and one of 350MW.
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
James Hartley-Bond, project development director at Low Carbon, says the scheme “will play a crucial role in support of the UK’s decarbonisation targets”.
“We look forward to engaging with the community and providing the opportunity for those who live and work closest to the project to learn more about Low Carbon’s emerging proposals,” he said.
“In delivering South Kent Energy Park, we want to give the local community the opportunity to collaborate with us and shape the project from an early stage of the design process.
“Alongside data from our ongoing environmental surveys, we will use the feedback we receive to inform the design of the project.
“We develop our projects responsibly, and listening to the community is integral to that process.”