JBM Solar to present project of over 50 MW in County Durham

UK solar developer JBM Solar announced on Thursday that it is launching stakeholder engagement on a new 50-MW-plus solar-and-storage project located between Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham, England.

The Byers Gill Solar project, as it is named, is expected to generate enough power to meet the electricity demand of more than 70,000 UK households. It is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project because of its size.

Later this month, the developer intends to hold early engagement with selected stakeholders, while a wider consultation with the public is planned for next spring.

“Engaging with selected stakeholders at this early stage is vital, and will allow us to use their local knowledge to help shape the project’s design at an early stage and understand local issues that are important to local communities before we present our plans to the wider community next year,” project manager Michael Baker stated.

The company anticipates filing an application for planning permission in the autumn of 2023. A final decision would then be expected in early 2025.

JBM Solar noted that during the 40-year lifespan of the project, the land will still be used for agricultural needs such as grazing.

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