Five hi-tech solar farms will be created near Shrewsbury in a £60 million pound renewable energy scheme to help power thousands of homes, if ambitious plans get the go-ahead.
The five farms near Westbury, nine miles west of Shrewsbury, have been earmarked for the solar research project which will see each site benefit from £12 million investment and transform them beyond recognition.
Exact locations for the project remain unknown but it is thought that each solar farm would produce enough energy to help power 1,500 homes. It is also claimed that farming families would receive guaranteed income for the next 25 years.
The scheme is being run by international company Wind & Solar Systems Ltd (WSS) which aims to submit a planning application by October. If given the go-ahead, the first installation will be completed by spring next year.
As part of the five-megawatt installations, each covering an area of 25 acres, solar energy would be captured from panels and then fed into the national grid via transformers which connect to the regional supply network.
The series of three-metre solar panels will be installed mainly on land used for grazing and money for the developments has been underwritten by a London-based investment bank which manages private funds under a ‘clean technology’ initiative.
Landowners, universities and investors will also be directly involved in monitoring the efficiency of each site and the interaction with wildlife.
Mike Marchant, spokesperson for WSS, said: “Most solar companies are focusing on the Cornwall and Devon area so we are in a sense breaking the mould by inching our way up the map and this is an exceptional opportunity for the Shrewsbury and Shropshire area.
“Wind & Solar Systems are bringing a zero impact solar farm into operation and this scheme will contribute greatly to the rural economy, Shropshire Council’s renewable energy targets and solar research as well. Consultation over recent months has been wholly positive and these renewable energy sources will give farming families guaranteed income over the next 25 years – potentially helping to keep younger people in farming.”
He also added that there was ‘definitely’ scope for more sites being identified in the county – meaning more local businesses could receive the green investment.
Stuart Thomas, central area manager for development management at Shropshire Council, said: “We have given some pre-application planning advice after being approached by the company, and await the submission of any formal planning application.”
By David Seadon