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.

About Speedwell Solar Farm

We are developing 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 emerging 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 site is 195 acres but less than half (94 acres) will be taken up by solar panels. 

The solar panels will be anchored into the ground and will be a maximum height of 2.7 metres. The framework supporting them will be made of aluminium or steel. They will be connected to each other and the substation via underground cables. 

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, there is also the potential to deliver a new biodiversity area and car park for Gwinear Primary School as part of the proposals.

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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.  

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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...

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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 (2025)

    If the project is approved, construction is expected to take 6-9 months. Planning conditions are used to manage elements of construction.

  • Stage 5: Operation (2025/26)

    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
Seumas Skinner
Community Liaison Manager


Find our more about Statkraft and Solar Power

  • Low emissions scenario 2023

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The history of Statkraft

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