Innova has announced the successful energization of Stokeford Solar Park, located approximately 15 km southwest of Bournemouth in Dorset. The facility has a capacity of 28.5 MWp and marks the third project in Innova's renewable energy portfolio to be energized, following the completion of Carn Nicholas in Swansea and Bicker Fen (formerly Manor Farm) earlier this year.
Stokeford Solar Park, along with the other two projects, received a Contract for Difference (CfD) from the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in 2022, underscoring the country's commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions.
Tom Cooledge, Investment Director at Innova, commented, “We are delighted to announce that Stokeford Solar and Alaska Wind Farm were successfully powered to the SSE network, exporting and are currently undergoing final commissioning checks. The shared grid connection between the two complementary renewable energy technologies represented some unique technical and commercial complexities. These were professionally managed by our engineering team and project partners to reach this significant project milestone. We are proud to have delivered our first multi-generation grid connection, which we hope to leverage across our future project portfolio.”
Will Bond, landowner at Stokeford Farm and Innova's joint venture partner, stated, “It is satisfying to see Stokeford Solar Farm energised. Alongside Alaska Wind Farm, which it will share its grid connection with, the site will be a significant contributor to Dorset's Net Zero targets and ecological restoration.”
Innova also expressed gratitude to all project partners, suppliers, and local residents for their support and patience during the installation of this dual-technology site.
