Bishopscourt in line for big solar power complex

Bishopscourt in line for big solar power complex

23 October 2013

LAND at the former Ministry of Defence base at Bishopscourt has been earmarked as a base for the district’s first ever large scale solar power generation farm.

A 28 acre site has been identified by Lighthouse Renewable Energy for the ambitious development, with the company hoping to secure planning approval for a solar power farm capable of powering up to 1,500 homes.

The green energy initiative would see hundreds of photovoltaic panels placed on an aluminium framework supported by steel foundations.

The company behind the proposal is keen to discuss it with local people and is holding an information evening at the Ballyhornan Community Centre on November 8 at 5.30pm.

Lighthouse Renewable Energy is the UK’s largest solar power developer and has revealed solar farms are ideally suited to the flat, previously

developed landscape character of old airfields. It recently unveiled plans for a similar solar farm at Upper Ballinderry near Lisburn.

The company is hoping to transform an unused part of the former RAF base into a 5.7 megawatt solar farm capable of producing estimated CO2 savings of around 2,841 tonnes per annum.

Lighthouse Renewable Energy says while its plan is at an early stage, it is keen to meet with people in the Ballyhornan area to take on board their views before refining its proposals

Conor McGuigan, the renewable energy company’s planning and development director, said he’s proud to be part of the development of solar energy in Northern Ireland.

“As a business, we aim to demonstrate that large scale solar power is a technology that is equally as important as wind within the nation’s energy mix. Solar power is also relatively cheap and quick to install,” he explained.

If planning approval is secured, Lighthouse Renewable Energy intends to rent 28 acres of the former airfield under a guaranteed, fixed-term agreement which is linked to the retail pricing index.

This means that over the years, the rental price will increase with inflation, providing the landowner with a stable, predictable income for the next 25 years.

The energy generated will be exported to the national grid and used at the closest point of

demand, helping reduce the carbon footprint of local communities.

Mr. McGuigan said as well as producing clean, locally generated electricity, the solar farm at the former RAF base will create about 19 acres of open grassland within the solar farm boundary. He said this can have a fantastic effect on biodiversity levels, local wildlife and also on the land itself.

He continued: “Lightsource now has 75 large scale sites operational in the UK and we have seen some fantastic examples of biodiversity gain across these sites already.

“Furthermore, the foundations cause no lasting damage to the ground, so at the end of the life of the project it can all be pulled up and recycled and the land fully restored.”

Mr. McGuigan added: “It is important for all of us to take interest in where our energy comes from.

“The sun is a constant, sustainable source of energy and we can now harness this power safely, whilst safeguarding the environment. This has got to be the power of the future