TGC Renewables, an independent renewable energy project developer, has applied for planning permission for a 13MW solar project in Cambridgeshire. If approved, the initiative would generate enough electricity to power 3,356 homes.
With large scale solar well supported under the renewable obligation certificate (ROC) mechanism, developers are now enhancing and up-scaling their projects to make more efficient use of available gird connections. This in turn enables farmers and landowners to maximize the available rental income for ground mounted PV developments and generate above average returns for what’s traditionally been recognised as low-grade agricultural land.
Upon completion, the project will provide the Cambridgeshire farm with a guaranteed rental income over the next 25 years, and a regular supply of clean electricity direct to the national grid.
The 55,000 PV panels will be installed over adjacent fields on a site comprising 58 hectares South West of Cambridge.
As part of the site selection process, the location has been carefully chosen to have minimal landscape impact; a sensitivity that has been greatly enhanced by the natural screening proposed within the development.
With site approval a key element of the development process, TGC Renewables uses its own specialist in-house planning experts to work with local authorities and communities to provide projects that work to the advantage of all. This ensures that the pipeline of projects the business has, stands a strong chance of being developed.
“With the large scale solar market still attractive to investors and land owners, the challenge that developers are now rising to is to make the most efficient use of available grid connections,” said Rob Denman, Director, TGC Renewables.
“In practice this means having the expertise to develop multi-MW projects on sites that meet planning and EIA criteria, whilst also retaining affordable grid connectivity.”
"Having developed significant in-house expertise, we can take our projects through the entire development cycle from feasibility through to grid connection.
We now have over 50 MWs in planning and aim to increase this to over 100 MWs over the next 12 months.”
