Last week, the solar industry saw how public opinion continued to play an important role in the planning process. Meanwhile, there are big plans for battery energy storage in Britain. Solar energy portal rounds up the most important stories.
Legal challenge against 500MW solar NSIP abandoned
As confirmed on Wednesday (August 21), 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 had dropped the challenge due to the “cost of legal fees versus the likely financial return from a successful outcome”. The council emphasized that it is therefore no longer responsible to use public resources.
Proposed 30MW solar farm is rejected by Wiltshire council
Wiltshire Council has refused planning permission for a solar farm proposal submitted by renewable energy developer Low Carbon.
The final decision document states that the reason for the refusal was: “in the absence of details regarding the connection of the panels to the national electricity grid and the details of any battery storage facilities, the council considers that the proposal would have a negative 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 approved 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, was strongly opposed by Bransgore Parish Council and local representatives, who argued that the development would have a negative impact on the landscape and agricultural potential of the area.
The planning commission’s decision was unanimous, with members supporting the project for its potential to contribute to the region’s green energy goals. The solar park will be operational for 40 years, after which the land will be put back into agricultural use. According to the planning document, the site will also include four power stations and a substation, with a specific area remaining undeveloped due to previous archaeological discoveries.
Sungrow partners with SSE Renewables for 320MW BESS
Sungrow, a manufacturer of PV inverters and energy storage systems, has agreed to supply SSE Renewables with 320MW/640MWh of PowerTitan liquid-cooled battery energy storage systems (BESS) for its Monk Fryston project in the north of England. Once completed, this project will be connected to the UK electricity grid at the highest voltage level, increasing network flexibility in the local area.
EDF Renewables UK plans more than 300 MW of BESS projects over 12 months
Six BESS projects are currently under construction and will be completed next year, with a total capacity of 313 MW. EDF Renewables already manages a portfolio of 150 MW of BESS projects operating in the UK. The company said it plans to deliver up to 2 GW of transmission-connected BESS projects in the coming years, with 400 MW of capacity already approved.
Simone Sullivan, head of storage at EDF Renewables UK said: “Our upcoming project pipeline will strengthen Britain’s capacity to integrate more renewable energy sources and make the network more flexible and resilient by managing electricity supply and demand.
