Green light for huge Northumberland solar farm

Bluefield Renewable Developments has secured planning permission for its third large-scale solar farm in Northumberland.The company, part of the Bluefield Group, will construct the 49.9MW solar farm, alongside a Battery Energy Storage System, in Bedlington, 2.5 miles from its Burnt House Solar Farm.Combined with the 49.9MW Low Horton Farm scheme in Blyth, also approved last year, Bluefield’s three Northumberland developments will be capable of generating enough electricity to power over 43,000 homes, whilst offsetting around 31,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum.The battery will help to integrate the increasing levels of renewable energy generation with the grid and provide other kid local grid support services.Councillor Adam Hogg said: “The developer has discussed this application with the town council over a number of meetings and listened to the concerns of us and the residents. This application also provides much-needed reductions in the town’s overall carbon footprint.”Alan Connolly, development director with Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd, added: “We are extremely pleased to have secured planning permission for our third solar farm in Northumberland.”We were the first developer to bring forward plans for large-scale solar to the county and – with this latest project – also the first to secure planning permission for co-located solar and battery storage. Our team has worked closely with the county council and local community at every step of the way. This approach has been well received and we look forward to continuing this constructive relationship.”