Lightrock Power gets planning nod for 50-MW solar park in England

Lightrock Power said on Wednesday it has secured planning approval for a 49.9-MW solar park project in Devon, England.

The permit was issued by the East Devon District Council’s planning committee with a 10:2 vote.

The so-called Paytherden Solar Farm envisages the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels at a site near the village of Clyst Hydon that will have the potential to generate electricity for almost 15,000 local homes. Its future output is expected to help offset more than 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.

The developer did not provide a specific timeline for the scheme’s execution, while its original plan was to bring the plant online late in the summer or the autumn of 2022. Bluefield Partners has been engaged to operate and maintain the future plant.

Lightrock noted it intends to create wildflower habitats for pollinators at the project site. At the end of March, the company announced it will develop several “wildlife-friendly” solar projects with a combined capacity of 400 MW to help the UK transition away from Russian hydrocarbons.

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