Massive solar farm that can power 9,500 homes planned for Cornwall

Cornwall could be getting a huge solar farm

A massive solar farm big enough to power more than 9,500 homes is being planned for Mid Cornwall. If approved, the 47.5 MW Trelion Solar Farm would be built between Grampound Road and St Stephens in the Clay Country.

Utility giant EDF Renewables UK, which is behind the proposal, said the solar farm would generate enough electricity for up to 9,562 homes a year and would help to save around 21,598 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

Grant Folley, head of origination and planning at EDF Renewables UK, said: “This is a great site for a solar farm, with plenty of sun and an agreed grid connection, meaning that the project is well prepared to contribute to UK climate change targets and the transition to a green energy future.

“EDF Renewables UK is firmly committed to engaging with local residents and being a good neighbour, and that’s why a community benefit fund and plans to enhance biodiversity on site are a key part of the proposal.”

EDF has now launched a public consultation to hear the views of residents about its plans. The consultation will run from Wednesday, January 31 to Friday, February 23, ahead of the submission of a planning application to Cornwall Council later this year.

Two in-person consultation events will be held at St Stephen Community Centre on Monday, February 5, from 4pm – 7pm and on Tuesday, February 6, from 10am – 2pm. Members of the project team will be on hand to provide information and answer questions and all are welcome to attend.

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EDF said solar power plays an important role in Cornwall Council’s Carbon Neutral Cornwall Action Plan which sets a target for the authority to become carbon neutral by 2030. The firm said that a grid connection had already been secured for the project and a number of ecological and feasibility surveys of the site have also been carried out.

The firm added: “We are committed to ensuring that Trelion Solar Farm delivers local benefits, with proposals for a community fund of £19,000 each year to support local projects for the 40-year lifetime of the project. As well as a commitment to maintain as many existing trees and hedges as possible on the site, there will also be a net gain in biodiversity through the planting of new wildflower meadows, hedgerows and trees.”

Information about the proposal, together with contact details for the project team, will also be available on the Trelion Solar Farm page of the EDF Renewables UK website: edf-re.uk/our-sites/trelion-solar-farm/ from January 31 with an online survey available for those who are unable to attend the consultation events.