Two more projects are now part of EDF Renewables solar portfolio in England and Wales, each project will generate enough low carbon energy for the equivalent of 9,500 homes
Burwell (49.9 MW) is a consented project in South East Cambridgeshire which has been acquired from AGR.
Porth Wen (49.9MW) is another consented project in North Anglesey which has been acquired from developer Countryside Renewables and also has consent for a battery storage unit.
Solar, alongside wind and battery storage, is a significant enabler for the UK to reach its net-zero target by 2050.
It is expected the solar farms will both be built by the end of 2022 and EDF Renewables will work closely with local communities to make sure they are aware of what is happening on each project during the construction process.
Community benefit funds will be offered at each site in form of an annual £10k payment provided to the communities surrounding both solar farms to invest in local initiatives or people.
EDF’s goal is to support the local community during the development and over the operational life of solar farms.
The management and administration of the funds will require further engagement with the local community over the coming months.
EDF Renewables will be making a number of biodiversity enhancements at each site.
At Burwell, there will be more than a kilometre of new native species-rich hedgerows and new 5 metre wide reedbeds will be created along the perimeter of the site.
At Porth Wen the solar farm will be on 190 acres of land which will still be able to be used for sheep grazing.
The company is also looking to expand its interests in Wales with the Porth Wen project and other solar and onshore developments.
EDF Renewables is part of EDF Group which as part of its CAP 2030 strategy, aims to double EDF’s renewable energy production from 28 GW to 60 GW.
Committed to solar as a technology
Onshore and solar director, Mark Vyvyan-Robinson, said: “We are very happy to be adding these two excellent new projects to our growing solar portfolio.
“EDF Renewables is an experienced developer and we are firmly committed to solar as a technology that will help us accelerate a net-zero future where clean energy powers all our lives.
“Investments like these are also contributing to the UK’s green economic recovery from Covid-19.”
EDF Renewables is currently developing a number of other solar farm projects in the East of England; Sutton Bridge near Spalding in Lincolnshire, Tye Lane near Bramford in Sussex, Bloy’s Grove between Swainsthorpe and Mulbarton in Norfolk and Longfield near Chelmsford in Essex (a joint venture with Padero).
