Solar Farm Plan Submitted

Plans have been submitted for the first grid-scale solar farm and battery storage on the island.

Peel Cubico Renewables has applied for planning permission for the Billown Solar Farm in Malew, near Castletown.

If approved, the company says its solar farm could be up and running next year, across 84 acres of land to the west of Malew Road and south of Douglas Road.

A statement said: ‘The solar farm would have an installed capacity of around 27MW – enough to power nearly 8,000 homes per year, almost 21% of total households on the island. The battery storage facility would have a capacity of 24MW and would enable electricity to be stored and exported to help Manx Utilities balance its grid network and provide energy security to the local network during times of peak demand.

‘The solar farm would generate enough power to meet more than 7% of the Isle of Man’s current electricity demand and support the Government’s aim for electricity on the Island to be 100% green by 2030.’

The project represents an investment of around £30m across the 40-year anticipated life of the project, with no  public investment.

PCR’s Stephen Snowdon said: ‘We have held an extensive, Island-wide consultation on our plans to hear from a broad range of people and residents’ feedback has shown that there is a real fear over rising energy prices and a desire for the island to generate its own energy to keep costs down.

‘The majority of people who’ve been in touch are supportive of our plans for this solar farm and for their electricity to be renewably sourced and we’re confident that this development is a great opportunity for stable and low-cost energy to be provided to residents and businesses. The solar farm could be up and running in 2024 to help the Isle of Man to address climate change and secure a bright economic future for the island.’