A second solar farm is being planned for Romney Marsh, with consultation on the proposals near Newchurch open for another week. Three more solar farms are also thought to be in planning, with concerns raised about the destruction of prime agricultural land.
The Shepway Energy Park will be located in fields just north of the village in six different sites covering hundreds of hectares. The company says its proposed solar and battery development will deliver over 200 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity and 400MW of storage capacity. It says the carbon-free electricity could power 73,000 homes saving almost 50,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. It would connect to the power network using the cables and pylons already in place.
In November last year Rye News reported on proposals for a solar farm at Old Romney.
Local opposition to the proposals centres mainly on the solar sites being built on farmland. says Amanda Farrant, a spokesperson for Hands Off Our Marsh. "We believe in renewable energy, but it shouldn't come at the expense of our precious agricultural land and the unique character of our countryside. The UK has limited prime farmland and covering vast areas of it with industrial solar infrastructure, especially when efficiency is low during winter months, is not the best use of this vital resource."
The latest project is being developed by SSE Renewables who say they hope to start building in five years time, with the site operational by 2033. The company also says that the new energy park is so big it will be classed as a "Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project."
You can find more about the plans and the initial consultation process - which runs until July 20 - on SSE Renewables website.
Hands Off Our Marsh has organised an awareness raising walk this Sunday, July 13. It starts at 10am at Newchurch village hall. More information here.
