About the Project
The proposed Glenhead Solar Farm is located on land approximately 2.5km southwest of Limavady, Co. Derry/Londonderry.
It is anticipated that the solar farm would be capable of generating up to 80MW of clean, low cost renewable electricity, enough to power approximately 24,0001 homes.
The project includes a 100MW energy storage system. Due to the existing high levels of renewable generation in the northwest, we anticipate that Glenhead will provide a significant opportunity for energy storage which will contribute to wider grid decarbonisation. The site is not expected to exceed approximately 195 hectares including all infrastructure, site tracks, landscaping and substation compound.
Energy storage helps support the grid network by storing energy at times when generation exceeds demand and releasing electricity back to the national grid network when demand exceeds generation. Energy storage is also considered the fastest technology for responding to a sudden spike in demand or an abrupt loss of supply.
As part of the planning process, RES will undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The purpose of the EIA is to investigate and alleviate any potential effects of a development on the natural, physical and human environment. An EIA includes the following assessments:
- Ecology and ornithology
- Acoustics
- Landscape and visual
- Archaeology and cultural heritage
- Flood risk and surface water management
- Glint and glare
- Traffic and transport
The results of these surveys will be included in the Environmental Statement which will form part of any planning application that is submitted.
Solar projects like Glenhead contribute to Net Zero carbon emission targets, enable more energy to be generated domestically improving security of supply, and are the cheapest form of new electricity generation2, alongside other renewable technologies wind. This makes developments like Glenhead not just good for the environment but also for the consumer.
1 The homes figure has been calculated by taking the predicted annual electricity generation of the site (using an average solar capacity factor of 11.2%) and dividing this by the annual average electricity figures from DESNZ showing that the annual GB average domestic household consumption is 3,239 kWh (January 2024).
2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6556027d046ed400148b99fe/electricity-generation-costs-2023.pdf