Solar panels with wildflowers

Speedwell Solar Farm

A 40MW solar energy development near Gwinear, Cornwall

We have created this website to provide information about our emerging proposals and to enable people to contact us with questions and comments.

This website will be kept updated as the project develops to keep you informed and to hear your views and ideas.

We have now finalised our proposals and submitted a planning application to Cornwall Council for determination. This has been given the application reference number: PA23/09696 and is available to view and comment.  

About Speedwell Solar Farm

View the full infographic.

We have developed proposals for a solar farm in the village of Gwinear, Cornwall, approximately 300 meters south of the Hayle-Camborne Railway Line.

Solar power is a crucial technology to overcome the energy security and climate challenges of this country. Cornwall has high solar radiance levels, making it a great location for a solar farm, and helping to meet the net zero targets set by the UK Government and Cornwall Council. 

The proposals have the potential for an export capacity of up to 40MW of electricity, which is equivalent to the needs of around 12,000 homes.  

The project will deliver a Community Benefit Fund of £8,000 each year it is operating. This could be used for local projects and initiatives that support the transition to renewable energy and help to reduce fuel poverty. Due to the site location, we have also committed to delivering a new biodiversity area and car park for Gwinear Primary School as part of the proposals.

We submitted our plans for Speedwell Solar Farm in December 2023 to Cornwall Council.

We would like to thank everyone who responded to our public consultation and provided feedback on our proposals

promocard
What is happening?

Project updates

Get the latest updates and developments for Speedwell Solar Farm, or contact the team using the contact form.

Go to the project updates
Solar farm

Find your Frequently Asked Questions here

If you can't find your question here, please leave us your question on our  Get In Touch page and we will give you an answer as soon as we can.  

Read more

Local Suppliers

Our aim is to have the least impact and provide the most benefit to the communities in which we operate. The construction phase is one way we can create economic benefits through inward investment, i...

Read more

Project timeline

  • Stage 1: Site Selection

    Extensive research to identify suitable sites. No public engagement is carried out during this time because the site may not pass the criteria required for development.

  • Stage 2: Pre-planning

    We will consult local communities, stakeholders and elected representatives on the emerging proposals.

  • Stage 3: Planning application submission (Q3/4 2023)

    A detailed planning application will be submitted following our consultation. The proposed development will be considered by Cornwall Council’s Strategic Planning Committee.

     

     

     

  • Stage 4: Construction (2027)

    If the project is approved, construction is expected to take approxiamtely 9 months. Planning conditions are used to manage elements of construction. 

  • Stage 5: Operation (2027/28)

    The project is managed by a regionally based maintenance team, and operations will be controlled by detailed planning conditions.

The project team

Photo of Tim McKellar
Tim MacKeller
Project Manager
Suzy Kerr
Community Liaison Manager

Find our more about Statkraft and Solar Power

  • solar panels

    Solar power

    The world is embracing solar power on a scale we haven’t seen before; it’s a clean, abundant source of energy bringing benefits at the local and global scale. Statkraft has developed solar projects...

    Read more

  • Ending the darkness with SolarAid

    SolarAid is an international charity founded in 2006 to combat poverty and climate change. Their mission is to light up every home, school and clinic in Africa by 2030, using safe, clean solar power.

    Read more

  • Green Transition Scenarios 2024

    Will we be able to reach our climate goals and fuel an economy below 1.5 degrees? Find out in Statkraft’s annual energy report Green Transition Scenarios.

    Read more

Learn more about Statkraft and solar power

The history of Statkraft

A short animated video of the History of Statkraft.

Visit Talayuela Solar Farm

Decide Your Future

What kind of world would you choose?

Did you find what you were looking for?