Month: November 2023

               RES has launched informal consultation on early plans for a solar and storage project of up to 600MW near to West Burton Power Station and in Sturton-le-Steeple, Nottinghamshire. The land under consideration is adjacent to the recently decommissioned West Burton Power Station, and RES has an agreement in place to utilise 600MW of surplus grid capacity. The project is at an early stage, but it is thought the land could support up to 400MW of solar energy generation and 200MW of battery storage.

               If progressed, the plans could be capable of producing enough renewable electricity each year to power around half of the homes in Nottinghamshire. The early informal consultation will run for six weeks from Monday 23 October until Monday 4 December 2023. RES project manager Will Bridges said: “Our plans are at an early stage, with ongoing technical work taking place to fully understand the suitability of the site. “We want to involve the local community from the outset and are undertaking this early informal consultation to introduce the plans and invite early feedback. “This renewable energy project, alongside other proposals, embraces the historic role that the area has played in powering the UK. “We believe there is an opportunity to build on this legacy and ensure that Nottinghamshire continues to play an important role in the UK’s future energy generation. “We’d encourage local residents to provide their feedback on our early plans by attending one of our in-person events or visiting the project website.” The development would represent a £224m investment during construction, creating 400 jobs over the 24-month build programme. RES is also keen to develop a community benefits package tailored to the needs and priorities of the local community, including RES’ unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme. Due to the amount of renewable energy that could be generated, it is anticipated that Steeple Renewables Project will be considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project requiring a Development Consent Order. Formal, statutory consultation is planned for 2024.

Credits: renews.biz [Image: RES]

               Neoen and Alight have signalled the start of construction of the 100MWp Hultsfred solar farm in Sweden. The pair have provided notice to proceed to a consortium of Bouygues Energies & Services and Solkompaniet under an EPC turnkey contract. Hultsfred said the largest solar project to reach construction stage in Sweden, Neoen said. Commissioning is scheduled for 2025.  Jointly developed and owned by Neoen (majority shareholder) and Alight, Hultsfred solar farm will be connected to the E.ON local grid distribution system, in Hultsfred, Småland, south-east Sweden.

               The farm will be built using low-carbon photovoltaic panels installed around the runway of Hultsfred airport (pictured). It is expected to generate enough electricity to cover the consumption of over 18,000 Swedish homes. The project is underpinned by a long-term PPA signed end of 2022 with H&M Group, under which the solar farm will provide the Swedish fashion chain with 95% of the renewable energy and guarantees of origin produced. The agreement will play an important role in H&M Group’s goal to only source renewable electricity by 2030 at the latest. Laetitia Prot, head of business development for Neoen Sweden, said: “I would like to congratulate our development partner Alight, and our contractors Bouygues Energies & Services and Solkompaniet for this great achievement.

               “Hultsfred solar farm will be our third Swedish asset after Storbränkullen wind farm and Storen Power Reserve battery: our three-pronged, long-term approach is an ideal response to Sweden’s need for a secure supply of competitive, local, renewable energy, as it transitions to a net-zero carbon economy by 2045.” Harald Överholm, chief executive of Alight, added: “It is exciting to move the Hultsfred solar farm into the construction phase, made possible by our fantastic collaboration with Neoen, E.ON, H&M Group, Bouygues and Solkompaniet. “As the largest solar project in Sweden to date, it is not only in line with Alight’s mission to add more green megawatts to the grid, but it is a remarkable step forward for the country as a whole, as it accelerates the transition to a more sustainable future.”

Credits: renews.biz [Image: Neoen]