Project: West Springfield Solar Farm and BESS
Introduction
Located in Fife, West Springfield Solar and BESS Development is expected to generate up to 63,000 Kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy.
Status
In Development
Size
49.9MW solar & 49.9MW battery
About the project
- West Springfield Solar Farm and BESS will comprise solar panels producing up to 49.9MW of renewable energy, supported by a Battery and Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 49.9MW.
- Approximately 93,000 individual solar panels will be sensitively spread across the site. They will sit around 2.5 feet off the ground, facing south at an angle of up to 20°.
- The project will generate enough energy to power over 12,500 homes per year. Over the project’s lifespan, it will save the equivalent of 740,000 tons of C02, compared to fossil fuel energy generation. The development will supply power directly into the grid via the Cupar substation.
- A community benefit package will be available for locals to spend according to their own priorities, throughout the lifespan of the project.
- As West Springfield Solar Farm and BESS’s capacity exceeds 50MW, it is deemed ‘nationally significant’. Consent will be sought from the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.
- West Springfield Solar Farm and BESS is developed by BLC Energy and owned by TRIO Power Limited. TRIO is backed by the Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN). OEGEN is one of the largest renewable energy investors in Europe, managing more than 230 large-scale green energy projects with a combined capacity of 3.25 GW.
Location
The proposed site is on lands west of Springfield and east of the Bow of Fife to Pitlessie Road. It is approximately 2.1 kilometres east of Ladybank and is 1.2km south of the hamlet of Bow of Fife.
Community benefit
West Springfield Solar & BESS will generate an annual community benefit fund worth £500 for every megawatt (MW) of export capacity on site, equating to £25,000 per annum for the 40-year project life.
The West Springfield Solar Farm and BESS will work with the local community council to establish how the communities local to the project wish to manage this benefit fund. We suggest making half of the fund available as energy grants to neighbouring properties.
To find out more about how community benefits can be managed please visit: https://localenergy.scot/community-benefits-tool.
Public engagement
- The first public exhibition took place on 2 March 2023, 3pm to 7pm. It was hosted held by Elgin Energy, who were developing the project at that stage.
- A second public exhibition will take place on Friday 4th April 4-8pm, Springfield Old Church Hall, Manse Road, Springfield, KY15 5RY, which will share the project design and how community feedback has been implemented. An online presentation will take place on Monday 7th April at 6pm.
Project timeline
Pre-application submitted to the Scottish Government.
We attended a community council meetings to introduce the proposed project and gather feedback.
Second public exhibition to present updated proposed plans, informed by feedback from the first exhibition, and gather further community feedback.
S36 Application will be submitted to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.
Ongoing community engagement and consultation as the proposed project progresses towards planning approval.
Project News
BLC Energy is holding a second public consultation for the proposed West Springfield Solar Farm and BESS , located west of Springfield and east of the Bow of Fife to Read more...
Project Images
