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Plans to build what would be Europe’s largest solar power plant have been thrown into doubt after “months of scrutiny”.
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As oil and gas prices continue to soar due to the war with Iran, the case for renewable energy is likely to be stronger than ever. Solar power, recognized as the cheapest clean energy, reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports and saved Europe €3 billion last month, according to a recent analysis.
However, building renewable infrastructure is becoming increasingly controversial, with many Europeans divided by how wind turbines and solar panels take up green space.
Ambitious plans to build Europe’s largest solar power plant
First installed in September 2022, Botley West Solar Farm aims to be connected to the grid by autumn 2029.
The farm, located in Oxfordshire, England, can provide 840 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 330,000 homes. This represents 1.2% of the UK’s solar capacity target by 2035.
Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP), which is behind the £800m (about €916.43m) project, says the farm will also help reduce the country’s carbon emissions and improve energy security.
PVDP has vowed to achieve at least 70% net biodiversity benefits, but neighbors are concerned about the impact on natural areas and are calling on the company to scale back its ambitious project.
Former Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth, who lives in one of the areas included in the proposals, claims the farm would create a “sea of glass and steel” across the countryside.
A campaign group has been set up to protest the launch. Stop Botley West argues that installing too many solar panels could have a negative impact on the amount of crops grown in the area, and says the current plans are too close to Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The group also claims there will be loss of wildlife habitat, increased risk of flooding and an “unprecedented” visual impact on the area.
Nick Eyre, from the Institute of Environmental Change at the University of Oxford, said many concerns about the effects on food were “hugely exaggerated”.
“We can produce food more efficiently and we know how,” he told the BBC. “To put it in perspective, 1 percent of the area [of the UK] It’s a golf course. I have never heard anyone say that golf courses are a threat to food security. ”
Will Bottlely West move on?
The Planning Inspectorate sent a report on the Botley West proposals to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband in February. According to UK planning law, this means that a decision must be announced within three months (10 May) unless a statement is made declaring a new deadline.
However, the UK government has now confirmed that the decision on solar farms will be delayed by four months, until September 10th.
“This is to allow my Department sufficient time to seek further information from applicants so that other interested parties can consider this information,” said Energy and Consumer Affairs Minister Martin McCluskey.
“The decision to set a new deadline for this application will not affect the decision to grant or refuse development consent.”
Professor Alex Rodger, chairman of Stop Botley West, said: “We welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to seek further information from the applicant and allow sufficient time for consideration by stakeholders, including Stop Botley West community groups.”
Euronews Earth has contacted PVDP for comment.
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