Developer of Renewable Energie Statkraft has received a full building permit for a 39.9 MW Solar PV energy plant that is located in southwestern England.
Statkraft started at the beginning of 2024 for the first time about the public consultation for the Kitland Solar Farm, with the help of this feedback to form the final application that it submitted to North Somerset in May 2024. Planning stamp, also contains the option to add a battery energy storage system (BESS) at a later time.
The construction is expected to start on site in 2026/2027 and will last up to nine months as soon as started. After the completion of the construction, the project starts in 2027 or 2028.
Biodiversity was an important consideration in the development of the proposals, and significant improvements for biodiversity will be made in the countries around the Kitland Solar Farm. Four new ponds are made and three existing ponds are being improved; 22.5 hectares of wild flowers will be planted next to six hectares of new forest, and a new community orchard will be planted, which will be accessible to local residents. In general, it is expected that these works will create a net profit of biodiversity of no less than 94%.
Mark Henderson, Senior Solar Project Manager of Statkraft, said: “We are delighted that our plans for a new solar farm in Kitland have been approved by the North Somerset Council. Kitland Solar Farm has the potential to speed up the UK to a net zero future and offering local benefits such as stimulating wildlife and creating new footpaths and spaces that the public can enjoy.
“We are dedicated to be a good neighbor throughout the life of the project and look forward to working with the local community.”
2025 can be a large year for Statkraft
This announcement follows the news from the beginning of January that Statkraft had reached an important milestone in the development of a proposed solar PV National Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), the Mylen Leah Solar PV energy plant. Last month, Statkraft announced that it had submitted a scoping report for the Mylen Leah project, prior to submitting a definitive application for a development assignment order (DCO) at the end of this year. The proposed development of 500 MW will be in the eastern riding of Yorkshire, and if permission is granted, the project can be used on behalf of 2029.
