Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has officially launched an informal consultation phase to gather feedback on its early plans for a substantial solar and storage project with a capacity of up to 600MW. The proposed project site is located in close proximity to the West Burton Power Station and the village of Sturton-le-Steeple in Nottinghamshire.
The chosen land for this endeavor sits adjacent to the recently decommissioned West Burton Power Station, and RES has secured an agreement to utilize 600MW of surplus grid capacity in the area.
While the project is still in its preliminary stages, initial assessments suggest that the land could accommodate around 400MW of solar energy generation combined with 200MW of battery storage. If these plans progress, they have the potential to generate a substantial amount of renewable electricity, enough to power approximately half of the homes in Nottinghamshire on an annual basis.
The informal consultation phase, which commenced on Monday, October 23, 2023, will run for six weeks until Monday, December 4, 2023. RES aims to engage with the local community right from the start and is eager to receive early feedback on the project.
Will Bridges, RES project manager, stated, “Our plans are at an early stage, with ongoing technical work taking place to fully understand the suitability of the site. We want to involve the local community from the outset and are undertaking this early informal consultation to introduce the plans and invite early feedback.”
He continued, “This renewable energy project, alongside other proposals, embraces the historic role that the area has played in powering the UK. We believe there is an opportunity to build on this legacy and ensure that Nottinghamshire continues to play an important role in the UK's future energy generation. We'd encourage local residents to provide their feedback on our early plans by attending one of our in-person events or visiting the project website.”
The development of the project is anticipated to represent a significant £224 million investment during the construction phase, with the potential to create 400 jobs over the 24-month build program.
In addition to the project's economic benefits, RES is committed to developing a community benefits package tailored to the specific needs and priorities of the local community, including their unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme.
Due to the substantial amount of renewable energy that could be generated, the Steeple Renewables Project is likely to be categorized as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, necessitating a Development Consent Order. Formal statutory consultations are scheduled to take place in 2024.
