Why do we need solar?
Solar power forms a critical part of the UK’s strategy to achieve net zero by 2050 and to deliver energy security. As set out in its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the Government has ambitions for 45-47 GW of domestic solar production by 2030. Ground-mounted solar projects play a key role in achieving these aims, having been established as a critical national priority due to the energy security, decarbonisation and affordability benefits that they deliver.
Solar provides a low-carbon, renewable energy source that is cheaper and faster to deploy than alternatives. Solar is one- ninth the cost of gas and less than one-third of nuclear energy, making it essential for reducing emissions and providing affordable energy.
Solar farms currently account for around 0.1% of the total land area of the UK. The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space currently used by golf courses.
Solar power is already making a significant impact. Between June and August 2024, it provided up to 8% of the UK’s electricity, according to the Government’s Energy Trends renewables tables (ODS)**.
*Presuming a 15% capacity/load factor across a single year based upon average domestic electricity consumption per home
(temperature corrected) as per Energy Consumption in the UK (published September 2024, Table C9 of ECUK: Consumption data tables).
**Energy Trends December 2024, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-section-6-renewables)
The need for solar
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Solar power is already making a significant impact. Between June and August 2024, it provided up to 8% of the UK’s electricity, according to the Government’s Energy Trends renewables tables (ODS).
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Solar provides clean, reliable energy and helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It diversifies the energy mix, enhances energy security, and stabilises electricity costs over time.
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Solar power is a key part of delivering the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy and Energy Security. As set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the Government has ambitions to more than triple solar capacity by 2030 through the development of large-scale solar farms and rooftop installations on homes and businesses.
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Solar farms currently account for around 0.1 per cent of the total land area of the U.K. The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space currently used by golf courses.
Community Benefits
Community Benefit Fund
Hedgehog Grove are pleased to announce an initial proposed community benefit fund of £400 per megawatt (index linked). This equates to £39,200 per annum for the duration of the site’s operational lifespan, which is 30 years. The fund will therefore provide a total of £1,176,000 across the duration of the operational project.
The fund will target the following social and environmental causes: Climate and Environmental Improvements, Youth Inclusion and Education, Road Safety, Cultural Dialogue and Heritage.
We will be engaging with the Community Liaison Group on how the community benefit fund could be spent, as well as how the Community Benefit Fund should be governed.
If you have a suitable project that you would like to be considered, please get in touch.
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The fund will aim to target the following social and environmental causes:
Climate and Environmental Improvements
Youth Inclusion and Education
Road Safety
Cultural Dialogue and Heritage
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We will be engaging with the Community Liaison Group on how the community benefit fund could be spent, as well as how the Community Benefit Fund should be governed. If you have a suitable project that you would like to be considered, please get in touch:
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We are currently engaged in our extended consultation process with the Community Liaison Group. This will help shape the direction of the community benefit fund and how it will be administered.
Environmental Benefits
The solar farm provides the opportunity to keep the land free from intensive farming practices and chemicals, allowing species to thrive and soil quality to improve. Biodiversity net-gain will be achieved by new and improved hedgerow, habitats, and tree planting.
These enhancements will include: New planting to support a diverse range of critical invertebrate species and encourage new species along the site boundary; Wildlife corridors and the installation of bat and bird nesting boxes, woodpiles, and beehives along the site boundary; additional measures to protect and enhance the hedgehog population on-site.
We anticipate that these measures will result in a biodiversity net gain beyond the government’s 10% mandatory requirements.
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The solar farm provides the opportunity to keep the land free from intensive farming practices and chemicals, allowing species to thrive and soil quality to improve.
Biodiversity net-gain will be achieved by new and improved hedgerow, habitats, and tree planting. These enhancements will include:
• New planting to support a diverse range of critical invertebrate species and encourage new species along the site boundary;
• Wildlife corridors and the installation of bat and bird nesting boxes, woodpiles, and beehives along the site boundary;
• Additional measures to protect and enhance the hedgehog population on-site.
We anticipate that these measures will result in a biodiversity net gain beyond the government’s 10% mandatory requirements.
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Solar farms, unlike fossil fuel power stations, produce no emissions during operation and can have a positive impact on air quality compared with other energy generation methods.
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Solar farms generate electricity without producing carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
They help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, decreasing emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas.
Upon completion, Hedgehog Grove Solar Farm would be capable of powering approximately 45,000 average UK homes.
