Developer to present 840-MW solar project to Oxfordshire communities

• Berlin-based Photovolt Development Partners GmbH (PVDP) has actually initiated the general public assessment process for a proposition to build an 840-MW solar photovoltaic or pv (PV) power plant across 3 sites in Oxfordshire, South East England.

The Botley West Solar Farm project, as it is called, would be able to produce sufficient electrical power to supply every home in Oxfordshire if finished, PVDP stated in a statement on Thursday. All councils within the area have currently signed up to an energy strategy under which "most of the low carbon energy required in Oxfordshire is most likely to be met by solar PV," the developer included.

The strategy is to split the construction of the solar farm across three site areas situated within Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. Since November 3, PVDP rates comments from the communities throughout these site locations. This is the initial phase of the assessment process and it is anticipated to run till December 15, 2022. PVDP strategies public examination events for the project across the town, it said.

The developer explained that the project has been created with biodiversity in mind and will certainly enable ongoing agricultural usage, consisting of sheep grazing, beekeeping, allotments and community gardens.

Due to its large size, Botley West will be categorized as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), indicating that PVDP will certainly need to obtain a Development Consent Order (DCO). This can happen by the end of next year, the company noted.