Botley West Solar Farm Launches Public Consultations for 840 MW Renewable Energy Project in Oxfordshire
Plans for the Botley West Solar Farm, estimated to have a capacity of 840 MW, are being developed by Photovolt Development Partners (PVDP). This marks the beginning of a series of public consultations on the project. Botley West, which spans three areas within Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, and Vale of White Horse, is set to connect to the National Grid, providing enough renewable energy to power every household in Oxfordshire, England.
Botley West promises to offer substantial advantages at a time of rising electricity demand and an urgent need to tackle climate change while lowering household energy costs. Oxfordshire is at the forefront of the battle against climate change with ambitious goals designed to make a meaningful impact. All councils in Oxfordshire have endorsed the county’s Energy Strategy, which outlines that “most of the low carbon energy required in Oxfordshire will likely come from solar PV.” Botley West is poised to play a pivotal role in meeting Oxfordshire’s objective of cutting the county’s carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
The developer, PVDP, collaborates with cooperative landowners, including Blenheim Estate, who have a genuine and long-term connection to the local area. PVDP is ensuring that the Botley West plans align with the landowners’ sustainable management strategies for their properties.
Botley West offers a unique opportunity to achieve notable environmental improvements in Oxfordshire. The project is designed to enhance biodiversity by improving soil quality and creating new habitats, making the area appealing to a wide array of wildlife. Additionally, the initiative allows for the continuation of agricultural activities, such as sheep grazing, beekeeping, allotments, and community gardens.
PVDP has kicked off the initial phase of community consultation for Botley West. The developer invites feedback from communities across the site areas and is dedicated to a transparent and thorough consultation process, which also includes collaboration with local planning authorities, conservation groups, and statutory consultees. This initial consultation phase will continue until December 15. PVDP will also organize public consultation events throughout the local area.
A PVDP representative stated: “With over 18 years of experience in developing solar farms across Europe and Japan, we are committed to delivering clean, affordable energy in the UK. Our collaboration with industry-leading experts will ensure that Botley West is an environmentally-centric project offering significant benefits for habitats and wildlife, as well as providing new recreational opportunities for local residents. We urge the community to share their feedback and attend our consultation events.”
Addressing the climate crisis is a priority we must all embrace today. As a landed estate, we have a unique opportunity to take decisive actions to protect future generations. We believe that this Nationally Significant initiative, led by Photovolt Development Partners, will help safeguard this region and support global endeavors to reduce carbon emissions and diminish reliance on fossil fuels, said Dominic Hare, CEO of Blenheim Palace.
Given its proposed generation capacity exceeding 50 MW, Botley West Solar Farm will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Consequently, PVDP will submit an application to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for a Development Consent Order (DCO), which could be filed by the end of 2023.