A solar farm with the capacity to supply clean, renewable energy for 16,000 homes is being proposed for land east of Hull.
Beverley-based developer Gamcap has submitted a planning application for the 49MW scheme between the villages of Preston and Bilton. It is on land beside an existing operation, bordered by Neat Marsh Road, Wyton Road, and Old Fleet drain.
The solar farm, called the Wyton Road Renewable Energy Project, would also feature an advanced battery energy storage system with a capacity rating of up to 20MVA, helping balance renewable supply to the grid.
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Douglas Gardner, director of Gamcap, said it would strengthen the Humber region’s reputation as a global leader in renewable technologies, as well as play a role in helping the wider UK achieve Net Zero.
The plan is to connect to the National Grid via the Saltend substation.
Mr Gardner said: “The East Riding of Yorkshire is likely to be badly impacted by climate change because it is vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion, two things that are being accelerated by the problem. Therefore, it is essential we act to reduce carbon emissions on a regional, national, and global scale as quickly as possible.
“The Wyton Road Renewable Energy Project will generate enough electricity to power around 16,000 average-sized family homes without creating any carbon emissions.
“The carbon emissions saved by this scheme each year are the equivalent to planting more than one million trees or taking some 7,000 cars off the road, which is huge.
“Not only that, schemes such as this help to increase the UK’s energy security, which is vital in the light of recent global events.”
If planning permission for the project is granted, work is likely to start on site towards the end of 2024. The build time is estimated to be between nine and 12 months, with assurances it would be strictly controlled to ensure any disruption to local communities is kept to an absolute minimum.
Fellow director at the 10-year-old firm, Chris Isard said that the site had been chosen for a number of reasons, including being flat, not being in an environmentally sensitive or protected area, and due to its close proximity to the grid connection, north of Paull.
He stated that as well as creating the solar farm, Gamcap would be making a number of ecological improvements on the site, adding: “We are committed to increasing biodiversity in all shapes and forms. To this end, we will be planting native trees and hedgerows around the perimeter of the site as this will shield it from view, as well as providing new habitat for birds and mammals, and absorbing atmospheric carbon.”
Mr Isard also confirmed that as part of the project, the developer will be creating a community fund. “This will be used to directly benefit local communities,” he said.
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