After public consultation and environmental assessments, plans are in for a hybrid solar farm and battery installation in Northumberland.

Exagen, a UK based renewable energy developer, has started rolling out plans for the Highfield Energy Park on land to the west of Whittonstall in Northumberland.

Plans for the solar farm and battery installation have now been submitted to Northumberland County Council.

Exagen Development Limited is seeking to develop a renewable energy project comprising a ground mounted solar photovoltaics array with co-located battery storage at the point of connection into the existing 66kV overhead line between Coalburns and Hexham.

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The main solar farm is located on land around Highfield Farm, southwest of Whittonstall with the battery storage and point of connection infrastructure located northwest of Whittonstall. The two will be connected via a buried cable.

Mark Rowcroft, Managing Director of Exagen Development said: “Solar provides one of the cheapest and quickest to deliver forms of energy generation and alongside energy storage is an important part of the future energy mix. We’re excited about working with local communities and businesses to ensure the project is not only providing clean, home-grown energy onto our grid, but that the site is also benefitting the local area.

“Over the next few months, we’ll be announcing a variety of opportunities for individuals and businesses to get involved’’.

Exagen went to the local communities to discuss the site proposals and to seek comments on refining the design. This included engagement with parish councils and ward councillors, hosting two in-person exhibitions, an online webinar, a Q&A in Whittonstall at the request of residents and other individual meetings with interested parties.

Exagen says it aims to identify local initiatives that can be supported through a community benefit fund, such as sponsoring education courses for the skills the UK will need to develop renewable projects in the future.

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Highfield involves development on a former open cast coal mining site which benefits from substantial existing woodland screening and is on poor grade agricultural land.

Batteries help manage peaks and troughs in the electricity market, reducing reliance on expensive gas and allowing more renewables onto the UK grid system.

The site has been chosen because of its available grid capacity and infrastructure, with just a short section of underground cable required to join the solar farm to the point of grid connection.