The decision was made following a detailed consultation period with the local community and key experts across various councils.
The solar and embedded battery storage site has a generating capacity of 39 MW which has the potential to power around 18,000 homes - more than half the residential population across the Kirkcaldy area - equating to approximately 22,590 tonnes of carbon emission savings per year.
“This is a huge milestone for the project and we are delighted Fife Council has recognized the many environmental, social and economic benefits of solar energy” said Clara Thompson, Senior Developer at Renewco. “We look forward to the project making a substantial contribution to the UK's green energy transition over the coming years.”
The £50 million project went through a rigorous consultation and design process, and will incorporate numerous biodiversity enhancements such as new hedgerow planting and restoration while providing much needed shelter and food resources for local wildlife, a species rich grass mix will be sown across the whole site and the introduction of wildflower meadow areas will provide a vital resource for local pollinators. The project offers a local annual community benefit fund equating to £23,400 as well as contributing business rates to the wider Fife community.
“We are delighted to have received planning approval for the Glenniston solar farm” added Stuart Hamilton, Head of Developments at Locogen. “Solar energy is one of the lowest cost and quickly deployable forms of renewable energy. “We look forward to continuing with the next phases of the project and further engagement with the local community.”
Since launching in 2021, Renewco has rapidly developed a 5GW pipeline from 50 projects of solar, wind, BESS and green hydrogen projects across the UK, Spain, Italy and the US. Many of these projects are advancing to the ready to build stage in the next 3 years.
For additional information:
