Bridgwater's Horsey Levels solar farm makes history

Horsey Levels solar farm has become the first to be energised since National Grid Electricity Distribution introduced changes to speed up connections late last year.

The 90-acre farm, owned by Blackfinch Energy and developed by Enviromena, will produce enough energy to power over 10,000 average-sized UK homes per year and will offset approximately 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

The project made history as the first in the country to have been energised significantly ahead of its original planned connection date, made possible through the Technical Limits acceleration programme.

Cllr Mike Best, Chairman of Somerset Council, said: "Our council Plan sets out our commitment to a greener more sustainable Somerset, and as we continue to work towards net zero, we welcome clean energy solutions that benefit our communities and the environment.

"The Horsey Levels project near Bridgwater will make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.”The 90-acre farm in Horsey will produce enough energy to power over 10,000 average-sized UK homes per year (Image: Lee Peck Media)

Enviromena CEO Chris Marsh said: “We are delighted to energise the first accelerated project as part of National Grid’s reforms to help bring forward the connection dates of renewable energy projects. Following the notification of the delay of this important project, our team has worked closely with the National Grid Electricity Distribution and the ESO in order to find solutions to help accelerate this project and other similarly delayed projects.”

“We have been supported from the outset by the project owner, Blackfinch Energy. In addition, we have worked closely with Somerset Council to agree rights to connect the project on council-owned land.”

Alan Gorman, Investment Director at Blackfinch Energy, said: “We are immensely proud to be part of the UK’s transition to a more sustainable and clean energy future with the Horsey Levels solar farm.

"The energisation of Horsey is a fantastic milestone that we are delighted to celebrate.

"The collaborative approach between all the parties involved is enabling the realisation of greater security of UK renewable energy.

"It’s a powerful representation of retail investor capital in action, helping to contribute to long-term, positive, sustainable outcomes.”

Steve Cross, South West Operations Director for National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: “This is an important milestone in the work we are doing to enable grid connections to help decarbonise the communities we serve.

“We are investing £500 million over the next five years to ensure electricity generation customers can connect to our network and we are working closely with industry, Ofgem and government to streamline the process and accelerate connection times for active projects.

“Horsey Levels is the first of many renewable projects to benefit from this concerted and co-ordinated approach and will undoubtedly make a valuable contribution to the South West’s pursuit of net zero targets.”