Construction Management
During construction of the solar farm, the main bulk of the deliveries will be over three weeks and will average two trucks per day; a transport statement estimates a maximum of 24 two-way HGV vehicule movement and traffic peak hours will be avoided. Subsequent operational traffic would be minimal.
- Construction will take a maximum of 35 weeks.
- Access to the site comes through A4136, which provides access to the A40 at both its western and eastern ends, which will be the potential construction route to be agreed with Highways Gloucestershire.
Fencing
Opdenergy uses deer fencing to enclose the solar farm, we create openings at the base of the fence in locations indicated by our ecologist after studying animal tracks. The openings allow mammals from the size of hedgehogs to muntjac deer to pass freely through the site.
We also mount infrared cameras (CCTV) at strategic positions along the fence for security.
Decommissioning
The solar farm has a normal operating life of thirty years; there is also an option to extend this to thirty-five years if the plant is still generating at a good efficiency and the extension is acceptable to the local planning department.
The project has a legally binding decommissioning plan as part of the planning proposal. The plan starts in the fifteenth year of operation when an independent assessor will value the site material and the cost difference to decommission the plant, have it entirely removed, and to have the land reinstated as it was before the plant was built.
The independent assessor tells Opdenergy how much money needs to be set aside in a separate decommissioning escrow bank account. Each year the company will pay into this account the required amount of money. By year thirty there will be ampule funds for the full decommissioning removal and recycling of all the material the reinstatement of the land.
The Benefits
- The renewable energy generation would contribute to regional renewable targets, powering equivalent annual energy of 4,300 homes.
- The development allows Forest of Dean Council to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It's predicted that 840,000 tonnes of CO2 are saved with this scheme.
- While the solar farm is operated, the site is viable for grazing sheep, diversifying the use of the land.
- The project is fully reversible after the decommissioning the land will be restored to its original state.
- Every detail has been considered; we will manage a plan to care of the area from a landscape, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
- Many local jobs will be originated during the construction period.
- Low operations and maintenance of the solar farm, one technician will visit approximately once a month.