Solar farm at Tye Lane near Bramford planned by EDF Renewables

EDF Renewables (EDF R) is planning to develop a 49.9 MW solar farm at Tye Lane near Bramford, which will be capable of generating enough low carbon electricity for the domestic needs of 9,690 households* annually.

A number of ecological and other feasibility surveys have been carried out and the company is now consulting with local people about the proposal ahead of submitting a planning application before the end of this year.

Amongst growing concern about climate change the 49.9MW Tye Lane project could contribute to saving around 16,700 tonnes** of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The project will also deliver significant additional local benefits. If planning permission is granted, a community fund of up to £10,000 will be paid annually (depending on the final size of the scheme) for the 35-year lifetime of the project.

Alongside solar, battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging are significant enablers for the UK’s goals to reach net zero by 2050 including transport. A solar farm at Tye Lane would underpin plans to install EV charging infrastructure nearby, directly benefitting local EV users by providing affordable, rapid charging.

EDF Renewables Director of Solar and Onshore Wind Development, Mark Vyvyan-Robinson said, “This is an excellent site for a solar farm, which is suitably sunny and with a nearby grid connection. EDF Renewables is an experienced renewables developer and Tye Lane is one of the first of a number of solar projects we have planned in the UK. This project will enable us to contribute to the UK’s green economic recovery from COVID-19 and help the country reach its net zero targets.”

EDF R is conducting online and postal community engagement. Residents near to the site are being contacted by post and members of the public are encouraged to visit EDF R’s Tye Lane website for further information, to register for the live online events and to provide feedback.The public consultation closes on 27th November and EDF R intends to submit a planning application to Mid Suffolk District Council before the end of the year.

NOTE TO EDITORS

EDF Renewables UK (www.edf-re.uk) is part of one of the world’s largest electricity companies and is a leading renewable energy operator and developer in the UK with nearly 600 MW inconstruction and 1 GW in operation including 34 onshore wind farms, 2 offshore wind farms and one of the largest battery storage units in Europe. There is almost 4 GW in development across wind, solar and battery projects.

The Tye Lane development will consist of rows of solar panels mounted on steel structures, 3-4m above the ground, taking up approximately half of the 65 hectares available for development. The site entrance will be on Tye Lane off the B1113, and connection to the gridwill be made at Bramford substation, some 5km south of site.Further project information can be found on the Tye Lane website.

* Based on average domestic electricity consumption per Mid-Suffolk household of 4,751kWh(DCLG, 2019), numbers presented to three significant figures.

** Based on UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting (2019) and European Commission Photovoltaic GIS (PVGIS-SARAH) site production estimate, numbers presented to three significant figures.

For more information

LindseySouthworth lindsey.southworth@edf-re.uk
Senior External Communications Manager
(M)07813 230379

Angharad Davies angharad@cadnocomms.co.uk
Cadno Communications
(M) 07918 722080