Huge solar farm in Fife will create jobs and bolster region's eco credentials
Westfield Energy Ltd - a subsiduary of Scottish renewables firm Brockwell Energy - has been given the go-ahead to construct the solar harvesting facility near Kinglassie.
It forms part of the 1049 acre site being redeveloped as an energy and industrial park, having ceased mining operations in the 1990s.
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Hide AdCouncillor Altany Craik, economy convener, believes the plan will bolster Fife's eco credentials – and create much-needed local jobs.
He said: “Brockwell Energy’s approval to build a solar project is welcome news for Fife.
"The site has been unused for a number of years, and we look forward to seeing its masterplan transformation, which will create jobs in the community and support the local economy.
“Brockwell Energy has liaised closely with Fife Council and Westfield Liaison Group on this innovative project.
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Hide Ad"It will not only boost the eco credentials of Westfield in creating a green industrial area but also support the creation of green jobs.”
The approved solar farm can generate up to 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity using scores of south-facing photovoltaic panels. In addition, battery storage capable of holding 20MW of surplus energy will be constructed to retain excess produced on particularly sunny days.
This can then be fed into the National Grid on days where demand is high.
Among the other uses approved in principle for Westfield are a storage and distribution facility, business space, an energy-from-waste (EfW) incinerator, and recycling. To date, the solar farm and incinerator are the only projects with full planning permission.
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