RWE launches UK Solar Developers Charter  

RWE has launched a new UK Solar Developers Charter that ‘formalises’ the company’s pledge to engage with local communities and ensure that its solar projects deliver long-term benefits, including economic opportunities and environmental stewardship. For example, it promises to achieve an average of 50% biodiversity net gain across its solar farms and provide a local community benefit fund.

The company has also announced the start of construction of a further four of its solar projects in the UK, bringing the total number to 11, supporting the UK’s wider net zero ambitions. The four new solar farms – Copse Lodge, Fraddon, Laynes Wood and Wick Farm – will have a combined installed capacity of around 200 MWac and are scheduled to be operational by 2026.

Both announcements were made by Katja Wünschel, RWE’s CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia during a visit to the company’s Cotmoor solar project in Nottinghamshire, UK. Currently over 75% complete, Cotmoor is set to become RWE’s first operational solar project in the country.

In addition to its solar projects, RWE is also investing in wind energy and battery storage solutions across the UK. The company is planning to invest some €8bn in low-carbon projects from 2024 to 2030.

New solar farm research project focuses on biodiversity opportunities

A new research project being undertaken by biodiversity specialist RSK Biocensus, EDF Renewables UK and the University of Exeter, is to explore the biodiversity potential of solar farms in the UK.

The six-year research study will focus primarily on EDF’s proposed 380-hectare Longfield solar farm in Essex. Expected to generate enough energy to supply around 96,000 homes per year, Longfield will be the largest such facility in the UK, according to RSK Biocensus.  

Commenting on the project, RSK Biocensus Director of Research and co-supervisor Professor Richard Delahay says: ‘The conversion of former agricultural land for solar developments creates a real opportunity for biodiversity enhancements. But currently we don’t really understand how best to realise these potential benefits. We hope that the research… will help us to establish best practice for creating and managing biodiverse habitats [at such] sites.’

INEOS Inovyn opens one of Belgium’s largest solar farms

In other solar news, vinyl producer INEOS Inovyn and its partners PerPetum Energy & Green4Power have launched a new solar farm in Belgium, exclusively supplying the Jemeppe production plant. With an installed capacity of 60 MW and featuring over 90,000 solar panels, the project is said to be one of Belgium’s largest solar farms. Innovative features include heterojunction panels that provide higher levels of efficiency, to an underground power line connection with Jemeppe and central invertors that will enhance reliability and cost-effectiveness.

‘European plastics face a competitiveness gap with the US and China, driven by higher energy costs, less access to raw material and a challenging regulatory landscape. Measures are needed to safeguard the competitiveness of our industry and avoid Europe becoming dependent on imports from abroad. Support schemes that stimulate investments in clean, abundant and competitive energy are critical to a sustainable future for European industry,’ says the company.

Qair reaches milestone 500 MW of installed capacity

In Poland, independent renewable energy company Qair has commissioned its largest solar farm in the country to date. Following the recent inauguration of its 60 MW solar farm in Kalisz Pomorski, the new 80 MW project in the Golczewo commune, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, brings the company’s total installed capacity in Poland to over 500 MW.  

Following the recent inauguration of 60 MW and 80 MW solar projects in Poland, independent renewable energy company Qair now has a total installed capacity of over 500 MW in the country

Photo: Qair