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Lake Energy is looking to build a 25-30MW solar park on the former Wymeswold Airfield and according to Solar Power Portal, has submitted plans to Charnwood Borough Council for the project. Stated to use nearly 125,000 solar panels and be constructed over a 150-acre site near Loughborough, Leicestershire, the solar project will be installed between the runways of the former airfield. Upon approval from the council, the project aims to be in construction later this year.
The Wymeswold project holds a US$55.35 million (£35 million) price tag with its developers confident that the project will receive approval. Lark Energy’s managing director, Jonathan Selwyn, said: "This will be 25 to 30MW, so it will be quite big, but it will not be intrusive.
"Lark Energy has played a leading role in demonstrating how large-scale renewable energy can be deployed quickly and with the support of the local community, to help the UK address its carbon reduction and energy security requirements. Our plans for Wymeswold are further evidence that we remain committed to large scale solar projects in the UK and, that despite significant policy challenges, we see a bright future for the technology in this country,” concluded Selwyn.
If approved, the Lark Energy project will be the first solar project to receive incentive payments under the Renewable Obligation. Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) are green certificates distributed by the Authority to operators of accredited renewable generating stations for the eligible renewable energy they produce. Solar Power Portal notes that currently, UK solar installations over 5MW are paid 2 ROCs for every MWh of energy produced and are worth around US$68 (£43) each. Additionally, system generators are paid an export tariff and usually enter into a PPA with the local area to increase the investment rate of return.
