Shepway Energy Park
The proposed Shepway Energy Park would be located within Romney Marsh, north and east of Newchurch in Kent and west of Dymchurch.
It’s a proposed solar PV and battery storage (BESS) development on 1000 acres of prime farmland that would include about 200 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity and 400MW of storage capacity. It is being developed by SSE Renewables. The site is in a very exposed area and will be visible from the villages above the Marsh such as Ruckinge, Bonnington, Bilsington, and Aldington and across to Port Lypmne. It will also border the proposed St Mary in the Marsh solar farm. The area selected for the battery containers and on-site substation is currently growing milling wheat and is also home to many skylarks and Marsh frogs amongst other wildlife.
The energy plant would reportedly generate enough electricity to power 73,000 homes when the sun is shining, however the energy will be sold into the grid so it cannot be guaranteed that it will power homes. The company state that the batteries will also allow for storage, export and import from the grid, and presumably export abroad given our proximity to the interconnectors with France.
SSE has entered into lease options with local farmers for 6 parcels of land.
· Area 1: located north of Newchurch and is approximately 118.4 hectare (ha), this site is proposed as the location for the on-site Substation and Battery Energy Storage, this area also includes proposed solar panels, and areas of proposed landscape and ecological enhancement.
· Area 2: located north of Newchurch and is approximately 50.1ha, this area is proposed as the location of solar panels and includes areas of proposed landscape and ecological enhancement. It is also where the existing National Grid Overhead Line is located.
· Area 3: located north of Newchurch and is approximately 46.6ha, this area is proposed as the location of solar panels. It also includes areas of proposed landscape and ecological enhancement.
· Area 4: located north of Chapel Lane and is approximately 41.5ha, this area is proposed as the location of solar panels. It also includes areas of proposed landscape and ecological enhancement.
· Area 5: located north of Church Road and is approximately 14ha, this area is proposed as the location of solar panels. It also includes areas of proposed landscape and ecological enhancement.
· Area 6: located west of Eastbridge Road and is approximately 135.5ha, this area is proposed as the location of solar panels. It also includes areas of proposed landscape and ecological enhancement.
SSE Renewables say that while there are some elements of the project that are fixed – such as the general look of the panels and the electrical equipment – lots of their design is yet to be finalised. They are holding their first consultation period between 28 May and 13 July, with in-person events at Newchurch Village Hall on 18th and 21st June and Dymchurch Village Hall on the 19th June. They are seeking feedback on their proposals. You can find out about the proposals and equipment they’ll need on their website: www.sserenewables.com/shepway
See images below for consultation event locations, dates and times.
