Clean power developer BayWa r.e. is inviting Derbyshire folks’ views on a big proposed solar park at Oaklands Farm, near Rosliston in the south of the county.
The German-headquartered global operator is applying for permission to cover two separate plots west of the village, and east of Walton-on-Trent. Output of the 163MWp combined site, it claims, will equal the consumption of all 42,000 properties in south Derbyshire.
Since announcing the Oaklands farm last year, the developer says it has engaged with local individuals and organisations. A Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and other documents will be available for inspection at libraries in Swadlincote, Barton under Needwood and Burton.
Oaklands project manager Ashley McInnes, said: “We have been working hard to review and assess the results of surveys and feedback from consultees.
“We’re excited to now begin the statutory consultation process and I look forward to engaging with the local community over the coming weeks.”
Public exhibitions will take place in early May, with a full online virtual exhibition available for viewing during that period. The closing date for responses is 6 June.
In Britain BayWa r.e. operates or manages 31 solar or wind projects, totalling 2.5 GW.
Its recent developments include acquiring rights to develop a 45 MW solar and 30 MW storage farm at Driffield, near Hull. Co-location of modules and a battery at the Yorkshire plot are enhanced by rare, shared capacity for export to the grid.
Fully consented already, Driffield is set for construction later this year, and is due to generate by early or middle 2023. The site is rated to produce 45 GWh of power a year.
Britain’s biggest solar farm is believed still to be Hive Energy & Wirsol’s 350MW Cleve Hill project, near Faversham, Kent.
