Green light for energy storage and generation scheme

Plans for a new renewable energy generation and storage project in South Yorkshire look set to advance after being backed by the council.Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s planning committee green lit plans for the Common Farm Solar Energy Park, which is earmarked for a 287-acre site to the west of the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington.Banks Renewables is behind the plans, which would have an installed capacity of up to 49MW, providing enough electricity for about 18,800 family homes per year, displacing more than 11,470 tonnes of CO2.A 50 MW battery storage facility would also link directly into the Thurcroft electricity sub-station around three kilometres to the north of the site, which will help support the long-term security of energy supplies to UK consumers.Members of the committee voted in favour of the scheme by a majority of eight to one, and the application will now be referred to the secretary of state.Banks Renewables operates four onshore wind farms across Yorkshire, including the Penny Hill Wind Farm, and is also behind proposals for a new green energy hub at the former Thorpe Marsh Power Station site near Doncaster.Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at The Banks Group, said: “Having had a recommendation for approval for our Common Farm Solar Energy Park proposals from Rotherham Council’s expert planning officers, we’re very pleased that the members of the Council’s planning committee have been minded to follow their advice.”The response we’ve had to this project from local people over the last year has generally been very positive, and there’s been widespread recognition of the environmental, energy security and community benefits that it will bring to the local area.”Maximising the production and storage of renewable energy from sources within the UK is a crucial part of our nation’s ongoing journey towards its Net Zero targets, especially with the current energy security and cost of living crisis in mind.”