Planning consent granted for Statkraft Cornwall solar project

Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, has secured planning consent for Trerice Solar Farm in St Dennis, Cornwall, following a successful planning appeal.

The consented scheme comprises of a 32MW solar farm, battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure. It will generate enough renewable electricity every year to power the equivalent of over 10,000 homes.

The site in the parish of St Dennis was carefully chosen for its potential to deliver renewable electricity to the grid, helping meet national and local renewable energy targets.

Statkraft’s proposals were informed by extensive specialist surveys and two periods of public consultation. Feedback received from the local community and other stakeholders helped shape the final plans that have now been approved.

As well as generating renewable electricity, Trerice Solar Farm will deliver improvements to biodiversity across the site, more than 1.4km of new permissive footpaths, opportunities for local businesses and suppliers during the construction phase, and an estimated £1.6m in business rates for Cornwall Council over the project’s 40-year operational lifespan Trerice Solar Farm will also deliver annual Community Benefit Funding once operational.

Further information and future project updates will be available here. 

Harry Venables, Statkraft Solar Project Manager, said: “Trerice Solar Farm will mean more home-grown power on Great Britain’s grid network. It will help achieve greater energy security, and reduce our reliance on expensive and volatile overseas gas supplies. We are delighted to have secured consent for this scheme after a successful appeal.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to engage with the project during the consultation process. We will continue to communicate openly with local residents and stakeholders as we move towards the construction stage of the project.”