Published: 28 Apr 2022, 12:10
The solar farm was granted planning permission in March 2021. Image: EDF
Construction of EDF Renewables’ first major UK solar project has begun, with Anesco having been appointed to build the site.
Anesco will also be providing operational and maintenance support to the 49.9MW Sutton Bridge Solar Farm.
Planning permission for the site was granted in March 2021 following public consultation by EDF Renewables and South Holland District Council, with early works now having commenced.
The project is expected to start generating by late 2022.
Benefits of the site include an annual community benefit fund of £20,000, while EDF Renewables plans to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points near the site to help the local community transition to EV ownership.
A biodiversity management plan is also to be implemented, including the planting of native hedgerow species to support local wildlife.
EDF Renewables’ head of solar, Ben Fawcett said: “The site gets plenty of sunshine and is near to a grid connection, making this an excellent location for a solar farm.”
EDF Renewables currently has 3GW of other solar projects at different stages of development or in planning in addition to Sutton Bridge, including a solar farm in Redcar which is to support a green hydrogen project in the Tees Valley.
Last year, it submitted planning applications for the Bloy’s Grove solar farm and the Tye Lane solar farm, while in July 2021 it opened a public consultation for its East Stour solar farm.