Veolia has started operations on one of the largest solar facilities in the UK, sited on a restored landfill area.
The 59 MW array has the capacity to supply over 15,000 homes.
The site at Ockendon, in Essex, has been developed with technology provider REG Power Management, and adds to Veolia’s existing major solar arrays at Ling Hall, Warwickshire, and Netley in Hampshire.
The company says that the Ockendon site is using around 107,000 bi-facial solar modules, rated at either 540 Wp or 545 Wp, which absorb light on both sides to maximise the power density. See the aerial footage below:
These modules are linked to inverters to convert to AC electricity, which is then fed to the grid via an onsite 132,000 V transformer, connected to the nearby Warley substation. It also provides the potential added benefit of embedded power use on site.
Veolia notes that the government’s Energy Security Plan of March 2023, commits to solar capacity in the UK being increased five-fold to 70 GW by 2035, which would require a project on the scale of Ockendon being installed roughly every five days from now until the end of 2035.
The company currently generates 800 GWh of electricity using a combination of solar, biomass, biogas, and Energy Recovery facilities that qualify under the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) scheme, and supplies a secure baseload equivalent to powering 240,000 homes.
Donald Macphail, Veolia’s Chief Operating Officer – Treatment, said:
This latest renewable energy development is a further step towards achieving a net zero carbon future for the UK, and is a demonstration of how we can transform this restored landfill to give it a new life. Through harnessing the power of the sun to deliver renewable electricity we are advancing our aim to achieve ecological transformation, and countering climate change. The project also has greater significance as the solar arrays have minimal ground level impact, so the wildlife that has repopulated the restored land can continue to coexist with the technology.
Matt Partridge, Development Director at REG Power Management, added:
We’re delighted to have worked with Veolia to help deliver another significant clean energy development. Projects like this are essential if we are to meet our targets for low cost, zero emission electricity generation using the UK’s abundant renewable energy resources.
