A proposed solar farm in North Somerset has the potential to power over 14,500 homes, marking a significant step towards renewable energy in the region. The clean energy company Belltown Power has identified a 200-acre site near Congresbury for this ambitious project. To engage the local community and inform them about the initiative, Belltown Power is hosting a public event on March 19 at the Old School Rooms in Congresbury, where details of the solar farm will be presented.
Antoine Vandenborre from Belltown Power emphasized that if approved, the solar farm would contribute substantially to the decarbonization of the electricity network and aid North Somerset Council in achieving its net-zero carbon emissions goals. In an effort to maintain some agricultural use, the planned site will still allow for sheep grazing even after the solar farm becomes operational.
The solar farm is proposed to have a lifespan of 40 years, after which the land will revert to its original farming use. A planning application is anticipated to be submitted to the North Somerset Council by the early summer, paving the way for this transformative renewable energy project to hopefully come to fruition.