Oak Valley Energy Park

The scientific evidence is overwhelming and identifies that climate change, as a result of rising greenhouse gas emissions threatens the stability of the world’s climate. The continued production of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide in particular, is considered to be contributing to the increasing rate of climate change. In the UK the main strategy for tackling climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a low carbon economy. 

There is numerous Government legislation, guidance, and policy which support the transition to a low carbon future and the continued roll out of renewables and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure. Principally, the Climate Change Act 2008 established long term statutory targets for the UK to reach an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050 against a 1990 baseline. To achieve this, a target of 70GW of solar deployment has been set, aiming to be achieved by 2035. Current solar capacity is around 16GW, meaning there is a lot more generation required to meet our climate change obligations. 

Whilst critical to increasing our renewable electricity capacity, power generated by renewable resources is variable in output, or intermittent, so the temporary storage and export of cheap clean renewable energy is achieved using the battery storage system located alongside the solar farm. 

The electricity grid also has a constant supply of ‘extra power’ available for use when the power required by customers is not equal to the power generated. The balancing mechanism is used to ensure that the network is in balance and reserve power is then used when the network comes under ‘stress’. When unforeseen demand is put on the network, such as when a large power station suddenly comes offline, then the National Grid control room needs an alternative source of power. This is achieved with rapid responding facilities such as the battery storage element of the Development, which can release or absorb electricity quickly from the grid as instructed. 

The project comprises of 25 megawatts-peak (MWp) of solar, and 50MW of battery storage. 

The project area shown currently occupies 176 acres, of which 76 is within the fences shown. 

The project will have an expected operational lifespan of 40 years. 

We want you to be involved and stay informed. To enable this, we have: 

A dedicated project web page: exagen.co.uk/projects/oak-valleyenergy-park 

A dedicated project email to address queries at: oakvalley@exagen.co.uk 

An online survey to receive feedback on the project. 

The route to access the site for construction and operation is via the M42 junction 3, the A435, Hill Lane, Radford Road, and a short section of Icknield Street. As the site is remotely monitored, visits to the operational site will be limited to one or two per week. 

The construction timeline of the site is dependent on the offered connection date received from the local distribution network, part of the national electricity grid. Based on our current offer and ongoing discussions, we expect the site to be fully operational between 2027 and 2033. Through our ongoing conversations with the grid, we will look to share a final confirmed date once this is known. 

The construction period on site would typically take 6 to 8 months. 

According to Defra, the biggest medium to long term threat to national food production is climate change. Although this site is not located on Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, under a medium emissions scenario, we are expected to lose over 70% of our best farmland by 2050. In comparison, should enough solar PV be built to meet our binding target of 70GW by 2035 (we are currently at 14GW), the total land use for solar nationally would increase from 0.1%, to 0.3%, and only 0.5% of farmland. At Oak Valley Energy Park, as is the case with many solar projects, sheep can continue to graze around and beneath the panels during operation. Solar farms are a temporary development and can even help improve soil quality by reducing the intensity of agricultural activity.  

There is some noise generated on site during the construction stage – from the construction traffic and from installing and fixing the frame that supports the solar panels into the ground. Once operational the only items which generate any noise are the inverters, batteries and substation. Exagen are working through a noise assessment which includes detailed modelling considering each noise source individually to determine the most suitable location for the noise-generating infrastructure. This noise assessment will be included as part of our full planning application and will give consideration to the background noise levels around the site. 

Exagen will develop in compliance with relevant industry guidance and best practice, working in consultation with the local fire and rescue service. Our planning application for Oak Valley Energy Park will include an Outline battery Safety Management Plan which will provide information regarding the specific safety features of the development, which may include: 

• To separate transformers from adjacent structures and from each other by spatial separation or a firewall; 

• Automatic fire, gas and smoke detection within the battery containers. 

• Automatic fire suppression (e.g. sprinklers – water and/or gas based) within the battery containers. 

• Use of fire-resistant non-combustible materials/enclosures around the components. 

• Air ventilation and temperature control in battery containers to prevent overheating. 

• Regular maintenance and testing of battery storage system. 

• 24/7 remote control of the temperature of the components. 

An individual solar panel is approximately 2.4m long by 1.2m wide, and approximate 5cm deep. 

Solar PV generation relies on diffused light (not just direct sunlight) in order to generate electricity. Power is generated even on a cloudy day in winter, just at a lower rate than bright summer’s day. 

Our panels are mounted on pile driven frames that cause minimum disturbance to the land and can be easily removed. 

The only lighting would be limited to low level motion activated bulkhead lights on the inverter, transformer, battery storage and electrical switchgear kiosks across the site. These would only be triggered when emergency maintenance visits are undertaken during the night, which would be extremely infrequent. 

Numerous surveys are conducted to establish any potential effects from the development on the site and surrounding environment. These surveys include; ecology (various species, and soil samples), archaeology & cultural heritage, construction access & traffic, flood risk, noise, and glint & glare. In addition, a landscape and visual appraisal will be undertaken to identify any impacts on key viewpoints. 

An Environmental Impact Assessment screening opinion request will be submitted to the Council in late September to determine whether an EIA is required for this project. 

A comprehensive decommissioning plan will be developed for the solar farm. When the operational life of the project ends, the site will be carefully restored and reclaimed. This includes removing equipment, recycling materials where possible, and restoring the land to its previous state. We are committed to minimising disruption and adhering to all relevant regulations during the decommissioning process.