UK, Swindon: RWE has received confirmation of planning permission for its 180 MW Byers Gill Solar Farm. As the capacity of the Project was greater than 50 MW, the application was considered under the UK’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) planning regime.
Located between Stockton and Darlington in the north-east of England, the 180 MW (AC)(1) project would be combined with a 180 MW (AC) battery energy storage system. Co-location enables RWE to store power, ready to be released into the grid during times of high demand. Once fully constructed, the project would be capable of delivering enough low-carbon energy to meet the annual needs of over 70000 homes. The goal is to deliver economic, environmental, and community benefits to the local area, as well as biodiversity gains, continued agricultural use of the land, and creation of new local wildlife habitats.
Adam Swarbrick, RWE UK Head of Solar and Storage commented: “This latest successful consent further strengthens RWE’s solar and battery storage development pipeline in the UK, supporting the UK’s energy security ambitions. Byers Gill is our largest co-located solar and battery storage development project to be consented in the UK, and the first to successfully navigate the detailed scrutiny of the NSIP examination process. This success is a testament to the expertise and capability that sits within RWE’s development teams. Our next step is to work towards a successful internal investment decision.”
Source: RWE
