News: Solar farm plans for Rotherham energy site

Another planning application has been submitted for a solar energy project on agricultural land close to an existing wind farm in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in 2015 on Banks Renewables' (now OnPath Energy) plans for a 5MW solar photo voltaic (PV) scheme close to its Penny Hill wind farm site at Ulley, which sits to the south east of Rotherham and west of the junction of the M1 and M18.

With OnPath also developing plans for a £60m, 49MW project on green belt land to the west of the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington, another firm announced proposals for land at Ulley earlier this year.

Applicants Abei Energy hope to install solar panels on two parcels of land which lie north and south of Carr Lane, which would be known as Piper Lane Solar Farm.

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With an operational phase of 40 years, the proposed development would comprise the construction and operation of an approximate 31.2MW solar array, 11.97MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and its associated infrastructure on a site of circa. 31ha.

The installation will include approximately 50,700 state-of-the-art polycrystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, capable of generating enough clean energy to power approximately 11,500 homes. This has been reduced from initial proposals that showed 71,500 solar modules.

Applicants say that the plans will address national and local support for renewable energy generation projects whilst supporting farmers and landowners to diversify. The plans add that sheep grazing could continue, minimising the impact on existing land use.

Regarding the green belt site, the application, prepared by Arthian Ltd, states: "The proposal is therefore considered to be an exception, as the benefits outweigh any potential impact, especially considering the national target of 100% renewable energy generation by 2030 and amendments to planning policy in relation to renewable developments. The proposal includes a shared agricultural use for sheep grazing, which will maintain the existing land use. The Application Site will be restored into its existing condition upon decommissioning, and thus any potential impact on the Green Belt will only be temporary in nature."

Plans conclude: "The Proposed Development will contribute towards the transition to a low carbon economy and national and local net zero ambitions. The co-location of battery storage will also maximise energy generation and security of supply. Environmental benefits will also be released by way of positive BNG [biodiversity net gain] through proposed landscaping and habitat creation."

Abei Energy

Images: Abei Energy

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News: Proposals for second solar farm in south of Rotherham borough

Early stage proposals have been made public for a massive solar farm in Rotherham, the second such potential project in the south of the borough.

Rothbiz reported in June that plans for a £60m solar farm in Rotherham, which includes thousands of solar panels installed on green belt land, were granted planning permission after the Secretary of State decided not to intervene.

Approved plans from Banks Renewables are for a new solar energy park on a 116 hectare piece of agricultural land to the west of the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington.

Now proposals have been unveiled for a similar project on agricultural land near Aston.

ABEI Energy, a leading independent power producer with projects across Europe and America, has identified the 56 hectare site at Piper Lane as having the potential to house a solar farm temporarily for 40 years.

The firm has submitted a screening opinion to Rotherham Council and planners will now determine whether the proposed project falls within the remit of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, and whether it is likely to have a significant effect on the environment and therefore requires a detailed assessment.

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Plans show that the "moderate grade agricultural land" which is classified as green belt land, could house approximately 71,500 solar modules creating photovoltaic (PV) cells located in rows.

The PV cells convert energy from the sun to direct current power, which is then transmitted to inverters and transformers within small cabins on site. 24 hour battery storage units would also be built on site along with other plant.

The proposed development would produce sufficient renewable electrical energy for the local grid network to supply approximately 16,800 households.

During operation, the site would be retained in agricultural use. The majority of the site would be planted with a combination of grassland / meadow to enable grazing by sheep. This would include land between and underneath panels.

The site is close to the M1 and Banks' wind farm at Ulley. It would have been in the way of the HS2 route had it not been cancelled.

The report concludes: "The Proposed Development involves the generation of renewable energy and would make a positive contribution towards reducing carbon emissions while contributing to the local community and economy.

"Given the limited construction requirements and passive nature of the operational development, it is considered that, whilst there will be some effects upon the environment as a consequence of the Proposed Development, none of these are likely to constitute significant effects in the context of the EIA Regulations and can be managed via appropriate measures.

"The magnitude and complexity of impact is not considered to be significant and transboundary impacts will be predominantly confined to the site and within understood parameters."

ABEI Energy website

Images: ABEI Energy / Google Maps

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