The plant is expected to begin construction next year.

 Renewable energy developer Statkraft has been awarded full planning permission for a 39.9MW solar PV power plant to be located in the South West of England.

Statkraft first began public consultation for the Kitland Solar Farm in early 2024, using this feedback to shape the final application it submitted to North Somerset Council in May 2024. Planning consent for the development, which will be located on land north of Langford, North Somerset, also includes the option to add a battery energy storage system (BESS) at a later date.

Construction is expected to begin onsite in 2026/2027, and will take up to nine months once commenced. Following the completion of construction, the project will begin operations in 2027 or 2028.

Biodiversity was a key consideration in the development of the proposals, and significant biodiversity enhancements will be carried out in the lands surrounding the Kitland Solar Farm. Four new ponds will be created, and three existing ponds will be enhanced; 22.5 hectares of wildflowers will be planted alongside six hectares of new woodland, and a new community orchard will be planted, which will be accessible to local residents. Overall, these works are expected to create a biodiversity net gain of as much as 94%.

Mark Henderson, Statkraft’s senior solar project manager, said: “We are delighted that our plans for a new solar farm at Kitland have been approved by North Somerset Council. Kitland Solar Farm has the potential to accelerate the UK towards a net zero future as well as providing local benefits such as boosting wildlife and creating new footpaths and spaces for the public to enjoy.

“We are committed to being a good neighbour throughout the lifetime of the project and look forward to continuing to work with the local community.”

2025 could be a big year for Statkraft

This announcement follows news from early January that Statkraft had reached a key milestone in the development of a proposed solar PV nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), the Mylen Leah solar PV power plant. Last month, Statkraft announced that it had submitted a scoping report for the Mylen Leah project, ahead of submitting a final application for a development consent order (DCO) at the end of this year. The proposed 500MW development is set to be located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and if consent is granted, the project could be commissioned as soon as 2029.