A MASSIVE solar farm is being planned on the edge of Barnard Castle to help GlaxoSmithKline reach its target of net zero emissions.
Proposals for the 27-hectare site are being drawn up by Kent-based renewable energy firm The Farm Energy Company in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline. The solar farm would be built near Glaxo’s factory, just off the A688.
The company says it is too early to say how many solar panels could be put in place. However, a 23-hectare solar farm being installed by Farm Energy at Glaxo’s Irvine factory, in Scotland, will have 42,000 solar panels, along with structural support and electrical infrastructure.
A community engagement webpage has been launched by Farm Energy, which says it is drawing up a planning application to be submitted to Durham County Council.
As well as the solar panels, there will be batteries, access tracks, cabling, a substation, fencing and security measures.
Farm Energy will own and run the site, selling the energy to Glaxo. A spokesperson says it will help Glaxo reach its global aim of renewables supplying 100 per cent of its electricity by 2025. The company also aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
A spokesperson for the renewable energy company said: “We are currently preparing a planning application to be submitted to Durham County Council for a solar farm development which will deliver renewable energy to the GSK Barnard Castle Site via a private wire connection.
“The site lies to the north east of the existing GSK plant, covering an area of approximately 27 hectares. We will be holding a community consultation event later in the year – a date will be confirmed nearer the time.”
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Farm Energy added: “Around 52 per cent of GSK Barnard Castle’s electricity demand will be supplied by the solar farm. The proposals would generate up to 16 MWp of low carbon, renewable energy to offset electricity imported from the grid. Batteries may be installed to store excess generation which can then be used at site at another time.”
The solar farm would save 4,353 tons of CO2 emissions per year. If built it would mean the wind turbines could be removed, the company says.
The site is made up of mostly flat fields, surrounded by hedgerows. The project team is committed to minimising potential environmental impacts of the proposal. We have already undertaken a number of ecological studies which have not identified any constraints – ie no protected species will be impacted by the solar farm development.
“The use of this arable farm land will enable a biodiversity net gain, including sewing of wildflowers to attract bees and improvement of hedgerows to provide green corridors.”
Farm Energy says landscaping work would reduce the visual impact of the solar arrays.
A spokesperson added: “It is recognised that solar farms have limited impact due to their low lying nature and minimal ground disturbance. The infrastructure associated with the development, including inverter/transformer units and access tracks will cover less than ten per cent of the ground. The remainder of the land remains accessible for the growth of vegetation and sheep grazing, and can be utilised for biodiversity enhancements for the lifespan of the solar farm.”
People are being invited to email [email protected] with any questions about the project.
