Facing the challenge of balancing intricate planning requirements and optimising land use, Elgin secured a 40-year planning permission from the North Kesteven District Council. The scheme was determined and approved in just 12 weeks. This not only reshaped the landscape but also emphasised Elgin's commitment to sustainable diversification, transforming a traditional sheep farming area into a thriving solar energy hub where the two now co-exist.
The project had 2 x 20MW maximum export capacity (MEC) grid connections offers secured from Western Power Distribution. The project required development of a dual-circuit 33kV substation building and a planned 4km cable run along the public highway to connect the project to the distribution network which was designed and installed in a way that minimised the projects impact on the environment.
The Gorse Lane project emerged as a success, boasting an impressive 49.9MW capacity. The solar farm generates enough electricity to power 16,000 homes and 19,000 electronic vehicles, whilst offsetting 1,000,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and the project secured a t10 year corporate PPA with Vodafone UK and Centrica.
The solar farm generates enough electricity to power 16,000 homes and 19,000 electronic vehicles, whilst offsetting 1,000,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and the project secured a t10 year corporate PPA with Vodafone UK and Centrica.
