Cubico JV introduces plans for Isle of Man solar farm

• 26MW Billown PV project is intended to be operational in 2024

Proposals for the very first utility-scale solar farm on the Isle of Man have been released by designer Peel Cubico Renewables (PCR).

The 26MW Billown Solar Farm in Malew, near Castletown, would certainly produce enough power to fulfill more than 5% of the Isle of Man's power demand, when functional in 2024.

Island residents are being asked for their views on the new facility which would be improved 84 acres of farming land to the west of Malew Road (A3) and south of Douglas Road (A7).

An onsite substation is included in the strategies which would link to a neighboring grid network.

A battery storage space facility would certainly also save electrical power produced throughout durations of reduced demand and re-distribute it to the grid when demand is high, or the network is down.

The project stands for an investment of around ₤ 30m across the 40-year expected life of the project.

PCR is a joint endeavor formed a year ago in between natural resources as well as power business Peel NRE (part of Peel L&P) as well as Cubico Sustainable Investments.

Stephen Snowdon, Planning & Development Manager at Peel Cubico Renewables, claimed: "Our vision for this solar farm sustains both the Isle of Man's feedback to climate change and the Government's ambitions for renewable energy projects to aid safeguard a bright financial future for the Island.

" We additionally acknowledge the cost-of-living crisis dealing with Island consumers and also think that the Billown solar plan will provide a superb possibility for stable, low-cost eco-friendly energy to be made available to all Island homeowners and also organizations.

" The development could be operational by 2024 and also is a no-regrets bush versus future price volatility for the Island in addition to a huge chance for the Island to take control over its lasting power needs by exploiting its very own abundant indigenous as well as renewable resource sources for benefit of Manx consumers."