Hive Energy To Develop Subsidy-Free 40-Megawatt Solar Park
Hive Energy, one of the UK’s leading solar developers, has announced that it will proceed with plans to develop a 40-megawatt subsidy-free solar park next to its global headquarters.
Hive Energy, founded in 2010, is the second largest solar park developer in the United Kingdom, and over the last five years has developed more than 300 megawatts (MW) of solar across 26 sites. Hive Energy may not seem a big name, though that may be in part due to the fact that solar is not as big in the UK as it is other places — at least, when compared to onshore and offshore wind. However, Hive Energy is responsible for the UK’s largest grid-connected PV site in the UK, the 49 MW Southwick Estate Solar Park, and is also developing the UK’s first “Super Solar Park,” a 300 MW project. The company also has a growing pipeline of international projects, with 2.5 gigawatts (GW) worth across several countries.
Now, to put its money where its mouth is, Hive Energy is developing a 40 MW subsidy-free solar park on land adjacent to its global headquarters. The 40 MW project just received planning permission and will be built on 72 hectares of land at Woodington Farm near Romsey, surrounding the company’s HQ. The project will generate electricity equivalent to the needs of 9,100 average households, and save approximately 16,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Hive Energy also intend to make use of the solar park’s proximity to its headquarters to test out the latest solar and storage technologies.
“This subsidy free solar farm will generate a level of renewable energy which will make a significant contribution towards meeting national renewable energy targets and will help to increase the security of the UK’s energy supply,” said Hive Energy CEO, Giles Redpath. “The project will also deliver positive social benefits for local people and support the development of innovative energy saving technology.”
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