Now approved by East Suffolk Council, Park Farm solar park will generate up to 21MWp, the notional equivalent of the power needs of just over 5,000 family homes, and displace 4,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

In January, the same authority green-lit the nearby Town Farm Solar project, with a similar generating capacity.

Together the projects will generate enough renewable energy to meet the electrical needs of over 10,000 family homes, while helping East Suffolk Council tackle its declared Climate Emergency.

Both projects include a series of ecological enhancements, such as species-rich grassland, re-planted native hedgerow, and the creation of meadow grassland beneath and between the solar panels.

Over its 29 hectares, the Town Farm development will deliver a 178% net gain in nesting units and a 52% net gain in hedgerows. Park Farm Solar Park also boasts a 106% net gain in habitat units for wildlife and a 116% net gain in hedgerow units.

British Solar Renewables is the UK’s largest privately-owned, integrated solar developer, with more than 700MW of solar PV delivered.

Its 57 UK projects include two in Wiltshire with aviation connections; the 250-acre Bradenstoke park on the old RAF Lyneham airbase,  and the Swindon Solar Park, built on the old RAF Wroughton air yard and military hospital. At just under 70W, Bradenstoke was then Britain’s biggest solar farm when completed in the early 20teens.

The developer also has projects in Australia and the Netherlands.

East Suffolk is among councils to have declared a climate emergency in recognition of the need for urgent action to combat climate change.  The develolers contend that the two solar parks will play an important part in meeting the authority’s climate action framework.   BSR has established a community benefit fund, assisting parish councils with funds from both projects.

Carla Hardaker, the firm’s development director, said:  “These two projects exemplify our commitment to leading the charge towards a greener future.

“We are proud to pioneer a new era of responsible renewable energy development—one that not only generates clean electricity but also enriches the local ecosystem througbh ecological enhancements”.

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Sparking up of the 30-acre plot follows the company’s successful equity flotation of £65million, supporting its goal to boost by 2025 its constructed and operational UK portfolio to over 500MW of solar.  Over 80% of that figure is already generating, with another 200MW at various stages of planning consent.

The 8.99 MWp project at Bryngolwg, 20 miles east of Swansea, has capacity to power a nominal 2,500 homes, offsetting around 3,700 tonnes of carbon emissions ever year for the next 40.   That’ll take the west Wales plant beyond the Principality’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050.

The project is constructed on low grade agricultural land, previously associated with coal mining.  Rhigos Community Council supports it.  Only twelve months ago, councillors on Rhondda Cynon Taf’s planning committee unanimously gave the farm their permission.

With all existing hedgerows retained, the development introduces extra planting of native bushes and trees in a biodiversity area. Sheep will continue to graze on the site, helping to increase the scheme’s considerable net gain in biodiversity.

Enviromena will manage the farm under a long-term O&M contract, which includes monitoring for performance security, maintenance and landscape management.

Chief operating officer Gary Hales said: “We are pleased to have energised our first project in Wales, safely and on time. The team has designed and constructed a high yielding project which can help to make a difference in achieving Wales’s net zero targets.”

The deal includes the developers funding a solar roof for a village hall run by Rhigos Community Council, cutting power bills and shrinking the rural settlement carbon footprint.

“Supporting the local community is one of our core values”, said Lee Adams, Enviromena’s sales director.

“Our commitment to leave all the communities and places that we touch in better condition than when we arrived begins with constantly evaluating the long-term impacts of all that we do.”

Enviromena has a second solar project on nearby land currently before planners.  The company anticipates their decision before March.

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