Wirsol, Hive win govt nod for 350-MW solar-storage park in England

The UK government has awarded planning consent to the up to 350-MW Cleve Hill subsidy-free solar-plus-storage complex on the north Kent coast in England.

The unsibsidised project was proposed by UK solar developer Hive Energy and its partner Wirsol Energy Ltd, through joint venture company Cleve Hill Solar Park Ltd. The development approval was issued by the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma on Thursday. It covers the scheme's photovoltaic (PV) and storage components and the connection infrastructure.

The Cleve Hill solar farm and the battery storage system will be located near Faversham and Whitstable on the North Kent Coast in South East England. Once up and running, it is expected to produce enough electricity for over 91,000 homes. Construction of the complex could begin in early 2021, with the solar farm and battery storage system becoming operational by 2023, according to a recent report by the Guardian.

The initial planning application for the GBP-450-million (USD 555.2m/EUR 500.3m) project was lodged in 2018. The Planning Inspectorate submitted its recommendation for the scheme to the Secretary of State earlier this year.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.234/EUR 1.112)

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