Lightsource Acquires Kent Solar Farm
Irish solar company BNRG Renewables has announced it has successfully completed project development of one of the largest solar farms to be built in the UK with a construction cost of €35 million after obtaining temporary planning permission for 25 years.
This solar farm project has been successfully acquisitioned by Lightsource Renewable Energy becoming the latest addition to its portfolio of utility scale solar farms.
Sycamore Farm, Old Romney in Kent has allocated 120 acres for the installation of 82,000 solar photovoltaic panels, which will have an installed capacity of 20 Megawatts Peak (MWp) and will produce enough green electricity annually to power over 6,600 UK households.
Solar farms are a popular method of land diversification for farmers because the panels and infrastructure only take up about 30% of the allocated area allowing for the land to be further used for grazing by small livestock, or the sowing of wildflower mix to enhance biodiversity.
BNRG director David Maguire said, "The most sensitive part of developing a large scale solar farm is ensuring open and honest community engagement during the planning application process. Furthermore, this project will be one of the largest solar farms in the UK when it is built."
"Shepway District Council's Development Control Committee voted 15 votes to one to support the scheme, while the council chairman commended BNRG for a well thought-out and environmentally sensitive proposal", Maguire continues.
Nick Boyle, CEO for Lightsource Renewable Energy comments, "We are proud to announce Sycamore Solar Farm as the latest addition to our portfolio and we commend BNRG for demonstrating "˜Environmental Stewardship' when designing and planning this project. I want to re-enforce the message that this solar farm, once built, will be a local source of green electricity for 6,600 UK households with no noise or pollution."
"This is not about the here and now, it is about our future and our legacy. Solar energy has just made its mark on the nation's energy mix, and Lightsource is committed to delivering solar power in the UK to its fullest potential, responsibly." Nick concludes.
