Latest news with #solarfarm
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Company planning Alberta solar plant project owes citizens' group $238K: AUC
A solar panel board is seen in this undated image. (Pixabay/Pexels) The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) is taking action against a company planning to build a solar farm in an Alberta hamlet for failing to comply with an order to pay a local citizens' group more than $238,000. On May 28, the commission sent a notice of non-compliance to PACE Bang Energy LP (Pace), which was approved to construct and operate a 14.67-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Caroline, Alta., earlier this year. According to the notice, the AUC issued a costs decision on March 14, ordering Pace to pay the Caroline Concerned Citizen's Group (CCCG) $238,950.20 as intervener costs awarded for its participation in the proceedings. 'Pace failed to pay intervener costs to the CCCG and is in breach of the costs decision, the related order to pay costs in accordance with that costs decision, and a subsequent ruling confirming its obligation to pay those costs,' the AUC notice reads. Pace had until April 14 to pay the group. It instead filed an application to review the decision on April 14. The company also filed for permission to appeal the costs decision. 'Neither the filing of an application for review nor the filing of an application for permission to appeal acts to stay an order or direction of the AUC,' the AUC notes. Two days later, on April 16, Pace filed a motion to suspend the costs decision, pending the conclusion of its application for review. The company argued that paying the costs would force it to delay the development of at least five projects and cause 'consequent harms that represent a financial burden impacting Pace's operational flexibility, investment capabilities, relationships with key consultants and vendors, and the stability required for ongoing business activities.' The commission temporarily suspended the implementation of the costs on April 17, pending a decision on Pace's motion. The motion was ultimately denied on May 8. The commission directed Pace to pay the CCCG within seven days of the ruling. The commission said the CCCG filed a letter on May 23, informing them that payment of the costs had not been made by Pace within seven days of the ruling. 'The CCCG asserted that this represented willful non-compliance with the commission's order and requested that the commission take a number of steps to address that non-compliance,' the notice reads. The notice of non-compliance issued on Wednesday by the commission directed Pace to show cause why it should not take action against the company, listing several measures, including: Adding the other applicants involved in the project as liable to pay the intervener costs award; Awarding interest on the costs until payment is made; Suspending processing of approvals and orders for the Caroline Solar Farm; Suspending processing of current applications filed by Pace or its affiliates; Ceasing the acceptance and processing of new applications from Pace; Requiring Pace to provide up-front security for intervener costs connected to any pending or future applications; Bringing an application for contempt under the Alberta Utilities Commission Act; and Any further orders, directions or proceedings the commission deems 'fit to make in the circumstances.' The notice directed Pace to file a written response by no later than June 2, at 4 p.m. CTV News has reached out to Pace for comment. The CCCG has been opposing the project, citing concerns about zoning upkeep and safety. The solar power plant would have a footprint of 80 acres, about the same size as the hamlet of Caroline. The project is set to be built on land designated for residential and agricultural use. The Alberta Utilities Commission approved the project on February 28. With files from Alesia Fieldberg
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Massive solar farm in Shropshire gets green light at High Court
A huge solar farm near Shrewsbury will be built following a High Court International's plans to build a 30-megawatt solar farm on 44 hectares near the village of Berrington had drawn both objections and support from plans were refused on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate in March 2024. It followed Shropshire Council's decision not to grant permission for the solar farm in May 2023. But a subsequent Planning Inspectorate notice published this month confirmed the appeal decision was "quashed by order of the High Court".The company said the scheme could generate enough power for 7,000 homes per year over its anticipated 40-year lifespan. Planning inspector Richard Clegg also said residents' group Flour not Power had withdrawn its objections after concluding a legal agreement with the appellant over an enhanced landscaping plan and an updated traffic management plan."Several local residents have also withdrawn their objections to the proposed development since the quashing of the original appeal decision," the decision note from 2 May added."Whilst there is conflict with certain provisions, the proposal is consistent with important policies which support infrastructure development and complies with policy provisions concerning nature conservation, economic growth, heritage assets and minerals safeguarding. "I conclude that the proposed development would comply with the Development Plan considered as a whole."One of the conditions that the developers will have to comply with is the provision of an alternative habitat for breeding skylarks on land immediately to the north of the site."Natural England's standing advice on protected species and development makes clear that no more habitat should be lost than is replaced, and not that there should be no net loss of breeding pairs [of skylarks], as referred to in the original appeal decision," Mr Clegg said. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Billionaire hedge fund manager's solar farm plan for his 100-room stately home hits opposition from angry neighbours
A billionaire hedge fund manager has come under fire from neighbours after lodging plans to build a solar farm to power his 100-room stately home. Chris Rokos is seeking permission to turn North Park near Marlborough, Wiltshire into 40 acres of energy panels amid his efforts to 'decarbonise' Tottenham House. He hopes to create a 'sustainable form of power and water to enable its future operation'. But angry locals have said they are concerned about the potential 'lowering of water pressure' in the area. In a strongly worded objection, Great Bedwyn Parish council said: 'We object to the current proposal over concerns of the installation of the new water mains connection and creation of a drainage lagoon and soakaway. 'We ask that Wiltshire Council seek reassurances from Thames Water that the installation of the new mains will not be to the detriment of residents within our parish with regards to the lowering of water pressure or indeed no suitable mains water supply.' A document submitted on behalf of Esturmy Construction limited, the applicant, says planning permission is required for a proposed photovoltaic array (PV array), drainage lagoon, and water mains connection with North Park. North Park is located at the northern part of the registered park and garden created in the 18th century and is currently used for grazing dairy cattle and silage. A planning statement added it was proposing the 'installation of a ground mounter PV array of approximately 688kwp to reduce the C02 emissions generated by the estate'. It said this would 'help contribute towards the decarbonisation of Tottenham House' and contribute to around 28 per cent of the estate's future electric requirements. The council is expected to give its verdict on the proposal later in the summer.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Witney solar farm plans approved by council
Controversial plans to build a solar farm capable of powering 15,000 homes have been approved amid fears the traffic impact would cause "chaos" in nearby Bente Klein put forward plans to build a renewable energy station with ground mounted solar panels and battery storage containers at University Farm in Hailey, application was refused by West Oxfordshire District Council in December 2023 on landscape, visual, heritage and biodiversity grounds, but was a meeting on Tuesday evening, the council approved the plans at the second time of asking. Addressing the meeting, a representative for Bente Klein said the proposal was "crucial in achieving climate and energy targets"."The solar farm would produce the equivalent electricity needs of approximately 15,000 Oxfordshire homes if it were to get planning permission," she explained."Furthermore, the proposal will achieve significant biodiversity net gain of 104 per cent which is over ten times the legal requirement."But Robert Gunn, from nearby North Leigh Parish Council, said the proposals would see "danger and huge inconvenience to residents"."We feel the main beneficiaries of this application will be the applicant and its investors, with minimum benefit and maximum danger and inconvenience to North Leigh residents," he plans had been previously discussed at a meeting in April - but a decision was deferred due to concerns over the route used by vehicles during the site's Gunn added: "If [the district council] does concede to the applicants' demand for their preferred route, then it should only be allowed with the strictest traffic construction measures."In our view six sets [of traffic lights] will be required […] and this would cause absolute chaos to all people living in North Leigh."At Tuesday's meeting, a route via the B4437 and the B4022 to Poffley End was unanimously approved by councillors. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Mendlesham White Elm solar farm put on pause 'indefinitely'
Plans for a new, large solar farm have been put on pause "indefinitely" by its project team. The 675-acre (275-hectare) plot of land near Mendlesham in Suffolk was earmarked for the White Elm project by Spanish firm Elmya RPC Grange Road Limited.A consultation began on Monday for several communities and was expected to run until 30 a statement on its project website, the firm said it had "taken a decision to pause development of the project indefinitely". The White Elm site, which also surrounds Wickham Skeith and Thwaite, sits five miles (8km) south of another proposed solar farm in Suffolk County Council said it would object to the proposal if high quality farmland was which was expected to submit its scheme to the local planning authority in 2026, had said the project would power more than 40,000 homes. Labour's Energy Secretary Ed Miliband was expected to have the final say on the Elm Solar Farm's statement added: "Please note that the ongoing non-statutory consultation has been cancelled with immediate effect."This includes the two public consultation events on Saturday 31st May and Wednesday 4th June." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
