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| Watnall solar "farm" dwarfs the old pit site which can be seen at the top of the picture. Pic - Aug 2024 |
Walking past the Watnall solar "farm" by the old brickworks at Watnall colliery got me wondering where our energy is coming from nowadays. As the live graphic shows, less than 10% right this minute is coming from fossil fuels and 57% from renewables. That's pretty commendable really. The farmer gets a rental income for the 40 year life of the 35MW solar farm too.
However, the solar farm company Aspen Infrastructure also want to build a gas-powered electrical energy generating plant on site too. Not quite so eco-friendly! Full story in the notes below...
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| How times have changed. Coal is now 0% of energy production. |
Read all about Watnall pit's chequered history at the Tales from Watnall Hall website... https://watnallhall.blogspot.com/search/label/mining
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| Watnall pit workforce c.1900 |
Sources and Notes
National Grid live... https://grid.iamkate.com/
360 degree panoramic solar farm pic - BearsAdventures drone channel.
360 degree panoramic solar farm pic - BearsAdventures drone channel.
Gas powered planning document - https://democracy.broxtowe.gov.uk/documents/s2711/18-00791-FUL-%20Watnall%20Solar%20Farm%20-%20RMD.pdf
Gas generators could be built on solar farm at former Watnall Brickworks site
Work is due to start on the solar farm in the coming months
Nottingham Live
Kit Sandeman Content Editor 15:23, 12 Dec 2018
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/gas-generators-could-built-solar-2320893
Kit Sandeman Content Editor 15:23, 12 Dec 2018
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/gas-generators-could-built-solar-2320893
An application to build new natural gas turbines on a former factory site next to the M1 has been submitted. If approved, it would see 20 electricity-generating turbines built, on land sandwiched between the M1 and where the new HS2 train line is likely to be built.
Planning permission has already been granted for a solar farm on the site, but now a new application has been submitted for the generators. If approved, they will be built on a former brick-making site at Watnall Brickworks, in Long Lane, Watnall.
Work is expected to start on the solar farm early next year and a decision on the gas works is anticipated in the coming months.
The firm behind the plan, Aspen Infrastructure, said the solar farm will be its first subsidy-free installation, meaning it will not receive any funding from the Government.
Ed Jessamine, founder and managing director of Aspen Infrastructure, said: “The site of the former Watnall Brickworks has been disused for a considerable period during which it has been subjected to a number of illegal and anti-social activities.
“Our vision is part of the land is transformed as an energy-generating facility using a combination of sustainable and renewable technologies to generate electricity."
He said preliminary work has already started on the solar farm.
“The solar farm – consisting of ground-mounted panels – will feed electricity into the grid via a dedicated substation on site," he said.
“We are now seeking planning permission to construct a natural gas generation plant. This would occupy existing hard-standing extending to 0.42 hectares (1.03 acres).
“Gas generation would be used as a back-up to the solar installation and to the local energy network particularly at times of peak demand for electricity. Typically, this would be for short periods on winter evenings and early mornings.
“We would stress that Watnall Brickworks Energy Farm will operate free from government subsidy.
"Both solar and gas installations are temporary and not permanent. They would be removed when their useful life is over and the site reinstated.
“Aspen Infrastructure has worked closely with the local community and their representatives to ensure the energy farm is delivered with the minimum of impact on the local environment and with the maximum of benefit.”
A decision will now be taken by planning bosses at Broxtowe Borough Council in the new year.
Planning permission has already been granted for a solar farm on the site, but now a new application has been submitted for the generators. If approved, they will be built on a former brick-making site at Watnall Brickworks, in Long Lane, Watnall.
Work is expected to start on the solar farm early next year and a decision on the gas works is anticipated in the coming months.
The firm behind the plan, Aspen Infrastructure, said the solar farm will be its first subsidy-free installation, meaning it will not receive any funding from the Government.
Ed Jessamine, founder and managing director of Aspen Infrastructure, said: “The site of the former Watnall Brickworks has been disused for a considerable period during which it has been subjected to a number of illegal and anti-social activities.
“Our vision is part of the land is transformed as an energy-generating facility using a combination of sustainable and renewable technologies to generate electricity."
He said preliminary work has already started on the solar farm.
“The solar farm – consisting of ground-mounted panels – will feed electricity into the grid via a dedicated substation on site," he said.
“We are now seeking planning permission to construct a natural gas generation plant. This would occupy existing hard-standing extending to 0.42 hectares (1.03 acres).
“Gas generation would be used as a back-up to the solar installation and to the local energy network particularly at times of peak demand for electricity. Typically, this would be for short periods on winter evenings and early mornings.
“We would stress that Watnall Brickworks Energy Farm will operate free from government subsidy.
"Both solar and gas installations are temporary and not permanent. They would be removed when their useful life is over and the site reinstated.
“Aspen Infrastructure has worked closely with the local community and their representatives to ensure the energy farm is delivered with the minimum of impact on the local environment and with the maximum of benefit.”
A decision will now be taken by planning bosses at Broxtowe Borough Council in the new year.
WATNALL & NUTHALL WEST WARD
Applicant : N/A Aspen Infrastructure 17/00863/FUL
Site Address : Watnall Brickworks Long Lane Watnall Nottinghamshire
Proposal : Install liquefied natural gas (LNG) energy facility and associated infrastructure
Decision : Withdrawn
Companies mentioned re Watnall solar farm
https://ramcapital.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/EW-Cap-EIS-Flyer-2016.pdf
Is the Watnall Solar Farm 35 MW??
Landowner benefits
https://www.clearstoneenergy.com/landowners/
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