Will Perthshire host one of Scotland’s biggest solar farms?

Plans lodged with Scottish Ministers

A Perthshire renewables company has submitted plans to Scottish Government for a ‘nationally significant’ solar farm at Tibbermore which could power 40 000 homes a year and generate £2.88m for the local economy.

The 128,688 panel development and substation on farmland at Dupplin Estate would be one of the largest standalone solar farms in Scotland, if granted a Section 36 consent by Ministers.

Proposals, put forward by Aberuthven-based company, TRIO Dupplin Solar LLP, have divided opinion amongst the 90+ residences directly impacted by the proposed development which lies 2.7km to the west of Perth.

The visual impact of the solar array, which will generate up to 97.5 MWp, is of principal concern, although the applicant has built in mitigations such as tree, scrub and hedge planting designed to reduce impacts, both initially, and over time.

In Ministerial hands

As the project is above the 50MW threshold at which councils can make decisions, it will be up to Scottish Ministers to judge whether the project, which could connect to the grid by 2032, should proceed.

Original plans, stretching over 13 agricultural fields, included a Battery Storage system which was removed after the applicant, owned by Octopus Energy, listened to community feedback regarding safety.

The 700W panels would sit 2.5ft off the ground and the power generated would be transported via cable to the Burghmuir substation in Perth.

At the time of the original consultations, there was significant public comment, with a smaller scale solar farm near Methven, at Kinnon Park, also seeking consent from the local authority at the same time.

Energy security

With both Scottish and UK Governments seeking to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and having legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and 2050 respectively, the proposals will undoubtedly hold some attraction.

The war in Iran has also focused minds on reducing reliance on fossil fuels and building a more consistent domestic supply of renewable power.

The applicant states: ‘the effectiveness of solar PV will deliver significant benefits to consumers through decarbonisation, security of supply and affordability,’ adding that consents would enable “the generation of more low carbon power from indigenous and renewable resources, and would enable the development to make an important contribution to Scottish and wider UK energy security and decarbonisation needs.”

Economics

While opposition still remains, the applicant has set out the economic benefits for the region and beyond, should Ministers progress the proposal.

The 8-12 month construction phase will net GVA of £1.44m for Dunning, Tibbermore and Perth, with £2.8m for the wider local economy and £4.12m for Scotland as a whole.

Over the 40 year lifespan of the project, the solar farm is predicted to bring £24.1m to Perth and Kinross as well as 27 FTE new jobs.

The applicant has also pledged nearly £50k per year for local community projects.