Conrad Energy has confirmed that planning consent has been granted for its proposed 18 MW floating solar farm at Whisby Quarry in Lincolnshire, in the UK.
Developed in collaboration with Tarmac, the project will mount solar panels on floating buoys across the former quarry lakes.
Key benefits cited include increased efficiency from the reflection of light, improved water quality through regulating temperature, and avoiding the use of productive farmland. The site is already screened by vegetation and will be built on brownfield land.
Conrad Energy states the scheme could generate enough power for the equivalent of up to 4,737 homes annually and save around 4,194 tonnes of CO₂ per year – “the equivalent of driving 54,455,820 miles.”
“By leveraging cutting-edge technology, this project will provide significant environmental and energy benefits,” the company said in a statement.
The design is fully reversible, with a projected 40-year operational lifespan after which the area can be restored and gains in biodiversity achieved.
Conrad Energy says the community will have opportunities to give feedback through local consultations tied to the planning process.
