Project Updates
These are the latest project updates for Speedwell Solar Farm.
Latest news
After carrying out a national review of how our community benefit funding works, we are increasing the amount of money available through the community benefit fund on all our future solar projects, including Speedwell Solar Farm.
The amount of community benefit funding will increase from £200 per MW to £400 per MW. This means that over the project’s operational lifetime of 40 years the fund is estimated to be worth over £600,000.
Solar Energy UK has published its second Solar Habitat report, looking at trends and observations from 87 solar farms in the UK, highlighting how solar farms and their management can interact with local biodiversity. You can read the Solar Habitat 2024 here.
On-site investigation works are due to start the week commencing 3rd June, as requested by Cornwall Council. We expect the work to last between 4-5 weeks, with the results used to inform the upcoming planning decision.
If you have any questions or would like more information, you can email us at ukprojects@statkraft.com
Statkraft has now submitted a planning application REF: PA23/09696 to Cornwall Council for a new a solar energy farm in the village of Gwinear, Cornwall.
Our plans have been informed by the feedback from the pre-application public consultation that we carried out with the local community. You can view the full planning application through Cornwall Council here.
If you would like to be kept informed with project news, please get in touch.
On Wednesday 5 July, we will host a project webinar for Speedwell Solar Farm. This will contain information from our in-person events for those who couldn't make it along.
Thank you to everyone who attended our in-person consultation events on 27 and 28 June! Your feedback will help us to develop a better project and we look forward to responding to the community.
Our next is event is our webinar on Wednesday 5 July.
We invite you to attend our consultation events for Speedwell Solar Farm in-person and online from 27 June. These discussions will help shape the plans and maximise the opportunities for benefits the project can bring.
We will be holding public consultation events on:
Tuesday 27 June - 4pm-8pm - Gwinear-Gwithian Parish Hall
Wednesday 28 June - 2pm-5pm - Hall for Gwinear
Wednesday 5 July - 7pm-9pm - Online via Zoom
All information presented at the exhibitions and webinar will also be made available online on the project webpage.
Members of the Speedwell Solar Farm project team will attend the next meeting of the Gwinear-Gwithian Parish Council, to discuss the early proposal.
The meeting will provide a first opportunity for feedback on the early proposals as well as chance for locals to feed into the design of the full public consultatation, to be held later this year.
Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable power generator, is progressing proposals for a new solar development in Gwinear, east of Hayle, in West Cornwall.
Read our full announcement.