UK based solar PV energy developer Hive Energy has received the planning consent from Test Valley Borough Council to develop a subsidy free 40MW solar park on 72 hectares of land at Woodington Farm near Romsey, Hampshire.
The project, under development for two years, will be constructed in the summer of 2018, and will have on-site grid connection through SSE.
The solar facility will be close to the headquarters of Hive Energy that will enable the R&D team to test the latest solar and storage technologies.
The solar park will generate clean, green, renewable electricity to meet the requirements of 9100 average homes per year in the region and will minimize the carbon emissions by 16500 tonnes.
To minimise disruption to the topography of the site, Hive Energy will put in place a biodiversity management plan for the 25 year life-span of the solar park.
Hive Energy CEO Giles Redpath said: “This subsidy free solar farm will generate a level of renewable energy which will make a significant contribution towards meeting national renewable energy targets and will help to increase the security of the UK’s energy supply.
“The project will also deliver positive social benefits for local people and support the development of innovative energy saving technology”.
Test Valley landscape officer said: “The application has demonstrated that the proposed solar farm could be accommodated within the site without resulting in any loss of or harm to the blocks of woodland surrounding the site which are a key characteristic and component of the existing landscape character.
“The proposed planting will also contribute to strengthening the existing landscape character.”