Latest news with #SolarFarm
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Gregor Poynton MP receives UK Government response on Selms Muir Hydrogen Project backing
Gregor Poynton, MP for the Livingston constituency, has received a positive response from the Government following his letter backing the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project for selection in the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2) Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In a response dated 16 May 2025, Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Industry at the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, thanked Mr. Poynton for writing in support of the project and confirmed the Government's continued engagement during the next stage of the HAR2 process. The Minister outlined that HAR2 is a highly competitive round, with 87 initial applications competing for support, of which only 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales have been shortlisted. The selection process has focused on project deliverability, portfolio diversity and value-for-money factors, with particular consideration given to cost, scale, location and supply to hard-to-abate sectors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Commenting on the Government's response, Gregor Poynton MP said: "I'm pleased to receive this positive response from Minister Sarah Jones MP regarding the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project. While the competition is fierce with 87 applications for just 27 shortlisted projects, I'm continuing to make the case to Ministers for this tremendous local project. Gregor Poynton MP is backing UK Government investment in the Livingston constituency. "The Selms Muir project represents exactly the kind of innovative, green technology investment that West Lothian needs. With its potential to produce six tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen daily and support decarbonisation across West Lothian's transport and industry sectors, this project could bring significant jobs and investment to our constituency. "I welcome the Government's recognition of hydrogen's key role in delivering our Clean Energy Superpower mission and net zero commitments. I'll continue advocating strongly for Selms Muir throughout the process, as I believe this project demonstrates the deliverability, value for money, and strategic importance that the Government is looking for." The Selms Muir Hydrogen Project, a partnership between hydrogen developer Hygen and renewable energy leader European Energy, will deliver a 20MW electrolyser hub co-located with the Selms Muir Solar Farm. The project has the potential to power buses, construction equipment, and heavy vehicles across West Lothian, supporting the UK's ambitious goal of 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030. The project is now undergoing the due diligence and cost assessment phase, where projects must continue to demonstrate deliverability, affordability, and value for money throughout the process.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'Positive response' from Minister to Livingston MP's letter of support for hydrogen project
Competition is fierce with 87 applications but just 27 shortlisted Livingston's MP received a 'positive response' from the Minister of State for Industry to a letter he sent backing the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project. The project was one of 87 applications to the UK Government for selection in the Second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2). From those only 27 projects across the UK are shortlisted. Gregor Poynton MP received a response from Industry Minister, Sarah Jones MP at the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, thanking him for writing in support of the Livingston project and confirming continued engagement during the next stage of the HAR2 process. The Minister outlined that HAR2 is a highly competitive round, with 87 initial applications competing for support, of which only 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales have been shortlisted. The selection process has focused on project deliverability, portfolio diversity and value-for-money factors, with particular consideration given to cost, scale, location and supply to hard-to-abate sectors. The Selms Muir Hydrogen Project, a partnership between hydrogen developer Hygen and renewable energy leader European Energy, will deliver a 20MW electrolyser hub co-located with the Selms Muir Solar Farm. The project has the potential to power buses, construction equipment, and heavy vehicles across West Lothian, supporting the UK's ambitious goal of 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030. Gregor Poynton MP said: 'I'm pleased to receive this positive response from Minister Sarah Jones MP regarding the Selms Muir Hydrogen Project. While the competition is fierce with 87 applications for just 27 shortlisted projects, I'm continuing to make the case to Ministers for this tremendous local project. 'The Selms Muir project represents exactly the kind of innovative, green technology investment that West Lothian needs. With its potential to produce six tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen daily and support decarbonisation across West Lothian's transport and industry sectors, this project could bring significant jobs and investment to our constituency. 'I welcome the government's recognition of hydrogen's key role in delivering our Clean Energy Superpower mission and net zero commitments. I'll continue advocating strongly for Selms Muir throughout the process, as I believe this project demonstrates the deliverability, value for money, and strategic importance that the government is looking for.' The Selms Muir Hydrogen Project is now undergoing the due diligence and cost assessment phase, where projects must continue to demonstrate deliverability, affordability, and value for money throughout the process.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Completion Of Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System
Press Release – Meridian The Ruakk BESS has a maximum output of 100MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period. Construction of New Zealand's first large-scale grid battery storage system is now complete, with Meridian Energy's Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being officially opened in a ceremony later today. The Ruakākā BESS has a maximum output of 100MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period. Construction of the BESS, located south of Whangārei, began in the first quarter of 2023 and has been completed inside the project's original $186 million capital envelope. Meridian's General Manager Development, Guy Waipara, says the BESS adds a North Island storage asset into New Zealand's electricity system, and one that will perform a number of key roles. 'This BESS is a new and exciting addition to our asset portfolio. It gives us the ability to load shift between price periods, smooth out peak periods, provide greater resilience to Northland and enable Meridian to participate in the North Island electricity reserves market.' 'Although construction and commissioning are now complete, some steps remain before the BESS is fully operational, including approval of final commissioning test results.' Meridian's focus has now turned to the neighbouring $227 million, 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm, with construction set to begin in August 2025. Together with the BESS, this forms Meridian's Ruakākā Energy Park. 'These will be key assets for Northland, and for New Zealand. There is a tremendous amount going on across the industry to ensure Kiwi homes and businesses continue to have all the electricity they need at prices that continue to be internationally competitive. Meridian is stepping up to the challenge with the Ruakākā Energy Park, part of $3 billion we will invest over the next five years,' says Guy Waipara. The company has four other projects already consented, including another BESS in Manawatū, and several others progressing through consenting processes. In addition to Manawatū, Meridian intends to incorporate batteries into a number of new solar farm projects. Meridian's battery partner for Ruakākā is Saft, and Transpower has also played a key role in planning, construction and commissioning. 'This has been a real team effort and Meridian thanks both for their contributions to the project. Being the first of its kind in New Zealand, there has been a lot to learn,' says Guy Waipara.
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Meridian Energy planning 5000ha solar and wind park northwest of Whanganui
It was one of 342 applications but did not get selected in the final 149. The application said the company had secured agreements with 11 landowners in the area. 'These agreements enable Meridian to undertake all elements of the project, including any access, construction and ongoing operation.' The site included two areas of 4700ha and 600ha, to be connected by a transmission corridor. As well as wind turbines and solar arrays, there would be a battery energy storage system, a permanent meteorological mast and an internal substation, the application said. 'The project will create a substantial number of additional jobs during the construction period, with an estimated 450 to 550 direct full-time equivalent jobs required. 'The economic benefit from additional employment in the area will continue during operations with up to 20 direct full-time equivalent jobs for the lifetime of the project.' The project was one of the largest economic renewable energy development opportunities in New Zealand 'that Meridian is aware of', and would produce enough electricity to power 290,000 homes. If given the green light, construction would start in March 2027, with 'full power' by June 2032. In a statement to the Chronicle, Meridian's head of renewable development, Rebecca Knott, said an indication of final costs would not be known until detailed designs were complete. In August, Meridian will begin building the $227 million Ruakākā Solar Farm in Northland, with 230GWh to be produced each year from 250,000 solar panels. That will be the company's first New Zealand solar farm. Its $448m Harapaki Wind Farm project in Hawke's Bay, which features 41 wind turbines, became fully operational last July and can produce enough electricity to power 70,000 average homes. South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon and Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said they were aware of the Waiinu Beach project but needed more information. Nixon said Meridian had been in touch with his council about an upcoming public meeting. An open day will be held at the Waitōtara Hall from noon to 7pm on June 9. On June 8, Ngāti Ruaiti will host a meeting about the park at Tauranga Ika Marae from 11am to 4pm. 'I would like Meridian in front of council and the Pātea Community Board to explain what the project is all about,' Nixon said. 'I can't make too much comment, other than I'm excited by the prospect of it.' He said he was generally in favour of solar panels, but not when they took up 'good productive farmland'. Knott said the vast majority of the land would remain as working farms around the wind turbines. The land housing solar panels could be grazed by sheep, she said. 'This area was selected in consultation with landowners due to its lower productivity.' There was excellent wind and sun in the area, and it was close to the national grid, she said. 'Because the site is also near the highway and relatively flat, it would make construction much easier.' Guerin's application said Meridian began engaging the relevant iwi authority, Te Kaahui o Rauru (TKoR), about the project in 2022, and it was 'committed to engaging experts within TKoR at the appropriate stage of development'. Knott said next month's open day was a chance for the public to better understand the project, ask questions and provide feedback. 'If it goes ahead, we'll be part of the community for a long time and we want to start building those connections,' she said. 'We're currently undertaking technical assessments, working through the design process and engaging with iwi and the wider community.' Meridian would make an updated application to the Government's fast-track approvals process in the next few months, she said. If that was successful, it would need to submit a substantive application to be considered by an independent expert panel. 'For a large project like the Waiinu Energy Park, the fast-track process may not actually end up being much faster. 'The more important thing for us is that it provides certainty about the steps we need to take to gain approval to build the project.' Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for Lincolnshire solar farm given feedback by residents
A developer behind plans for a solar farm in Lincolnshire has met residents from the surrounding area to get feedback on the 2,400-acre Leoda Solar Farm scheme was unveiled last month for land between the villages of Leadenham, Brant Broughton and Welbourn in the west of the Telis Energy UK said it would produce between 500MW and 600MW, meaning it would be capable of powering thousands of objections to the plans were raised when they went on display at Leadenham Village Hall on Tuesday, including criticism that the the design was too big and too vague. The energy company said it wanted feedback and local knowledge to help improve its Willbond, who lives in Leadenham, said he agreed with the need to move to sustainable energy but he was concerned with the scale of the scheme."These plans seems completely out of proportion and would have a massive impact on the countryside. If they were scaled down, they might be acceptable," he said. Steve Harwood said the concept was "disgraceful", and added: "The whole area will look very different. Why put the panels in a beautiful part of the countryside like this?"However, Alex Herbert, head of planning at Telis, said the reception from the community had not been entirely negative, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service."Most people are asking questions and haven't made up their minds, although you always expect a few objectors," he said. He added that Lincolnshire had been chosen for the scheme because it was flat and sparsely populated, with lots of sunshine and a grid connection next round in the consultation process will be held later this year when the plans are refined. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
