The solar PV power plant will be operational for 40 years. Image: Anesco.

Solar and energy storage company Anesco has been granted the green light to develop a 48MW solar PV power plant in Coven, Staffordshire.

South Staffordshire Council granted development consent for the project yesterday (3 October). Construction is expected to begin in early 2025.

The site will benefit from advanced biodiversity enhancements to support local wildlife and some of the ry’s most at-risk species. These enhancements exceed planning requirements and will result in an estimated biodiversity net gain of over 200%.

Once complete, the solar PV power plant will be operational for 40 years, after which time the modules and infrastructure will be removed and the land returned to agricultural use.

Anesco CEO Hildagarde McCarville hailed the council’s decision, claiming the project will generate “significant benefits for the environment and form part of the renewable energy infrastructure and security of supply that the ry so vitally needs”.

“South Staffordshire Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and developed an action plan that includes encouraging renewable energy sources of energy supply. The project is fully aligned with those plans, while actively contributing to the UK’s energy transition and net zero target,” McCarville said.

South Staffordshire Council has turned its attention towards renewable energy generation projects, such as Anesco’s, to help tackle its climate emergency. Recently, the council consented to a 22.5MW solar PV power plant being developed by Renewable Connections, a solar and battery developer set up by Armstrong Capital Management, in July 2024.

UK’s renewable energy capacity grows 3.9% year-on-year

The UK’s renewable energy industry continues to go from strength to strength and has been aided by strong policy decisions and support from the new Labour government since being elected.

Indeed, data released by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) showed that a total of 2.1GW new renewable energy generation capacity came online in the year to June 2024, representing a 3.9% increase over the previous year. Of this figure, around two-thirds was from solar PV.

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