Energy company EDF Renewables UK have begun to scale up its solar projects in 2024. The firm have confirmed four new solar projects to kickstart their solar campaign.
To begin 2024, the company was granted permission to construct a new 49.9mw solar farm on Tye Lane in Suffolk.
Construction of the farm is set to take between 6 and 9 months to complete with the local community set to receive a community benefit fund worth £20,000.
This will be used to support more social, environmental and community projects.
The latest project to be added to EDF’s solar portfolio is a 4mw purpose built solar farm to decarbonise the Macallan Single Malt Whiskey distillery in Craigallachie.
The project is unique, becoming Macallan’s first commercial and industrial solar project of its kind.
The distillery will integrate ground mounted solar panels, alongside EDF renewables to deliver 50% of Macallan’s peak output of electricity. This equals 30% of the site’s yearly electricity output.
Operations Director of Macallan, Rachel Walters, told Solar Power Portal:
“The introduction of solar panels at The Macallan Estate is the latest initiative designed to help us build a more sustainable future, complementing the distillery’s current biomass set up and will work in tandem with other projects to accelerate our net zero targets.”
The remaining two projects include the Longfield Solar farm in Essex and an undisclosed project in Buckinghamshire.
The Longfield Solar farm is an infrastructure-based project aiming to generate 350mw of electricity.
The project has received planning consent for June 2023.
EDF’s Buckinghamshire project has entered its consultation in late September and is currently seeking feedback on layout designs.
Like with the other projects, the project plans to include a recreational area to support the local community alongside electricity generation.
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