Locogen, working alongside our development partner Renewco Power, are delighted to announce that Planning Permission has been granted for Glenniston Solar Farm near Lochgelly in Fife. The site, which consists of solar and embedded battery storage, has a generating capacity of 39MW which has the potential to power around 18,000 homes – this is more than half the residential population across the Kirkcaldy area. This will equate to approximately 22,590 tonnes of carbon emission savings per year.
The decision has come after detailed consultation with the local community and key experts within the various councils and decision makers. The project went through a rigorous consultation and design process and will incorporate numerous biodiversity enhancements such as new hedgerow planting and restoration to increase screening whilst providing much needed shelter and food resources for local wildlife, a species rich grass mix will be sown across the whole site and the introduction of wildflower meadow areas will provide a vital resource for local pollinators. The project offers a local annual community benefit fund equating to £23,400 as well as contributing business rates to the wider Fife community.
Stuart Hamilton, Head of Developments at Locogen commented, “We are delighted to have received planning approval for the Glenniston solar farm. Solar energy is one of the lowest cost and quickly deployable forms of renewable energy. We look forward to continuing with the next phases of the project and further engagement with the local community”.
Clara Thompson, Senior Developer at Renewco, added: “This is a huge milestone for the project and we are delighted Fife Council has recognised the many environmental, social and economic benefits of solar energy. We look forward to the project making a substantial contribution to the UK’s green energy transition over the coming years.