Voltalia UK Ltd (‘Voltalia’) is proposing to develop Springfield Solar Farm, on 455 acres of farmland located 50 metres north of the conservation area of Oldhamstocks. The project is currently at the pre-application stage with a 'Scoping Report' submitted to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit which is the planning authority for any project that proposes to generate more that 50MW. Statutory consultees such as East Lothian Council, NatureScot and Historic Environment Scotland have until early January 2025 to comment. ECU will then issue a Scoping Opinion which will outline the nature of the Environmental Impact Assessment which should be carried out in respect of the proposed project.
Voltalia's second consultation is open between 3rd and 30th March 2025.
It is sharing its updated plans. These plans have taken into account feedback from the local community and wider stakeholders.
Drop-in Session 3:00pm - 8:00pm, at Oldhamstocks Village Hall
It held a public consultation drop-in event to inform our proposals and enable you to share your views on the project.
The proposed Springfield Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project is located to the north of Oldhamstocks. It includes a solar farm with up to 165MWp capacity, up to 150MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure.
On 29th January 2025 the Energy Consents Unit issued a Scoping Opinion in response to Voltalia's EIA Scoping Report. You can view the 80-page document by clicking on the picture below.
The consultation process for the Scoping Report submitted to the ECU has been extended to early January 2025. If you wish to make any comments on the project or on the Scoping Report published below, there is a contact list below.
Energy Consents Unit
For live applications, please include the Project Name (Springfield Solar Farm & Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)) and Case Reference Number (ECU00004815) with your enquiry
Email: Econsents_Admin@gov.scot
Mr Douglas Alexander MP for East Lothian
Email: douglas.alexander.mp@parliament.uk
Gillian Martin MSP Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy
Email: cabsecfornze@gov.scot
Mr Paul McLennan MSP for East Lothian
Email: Paul.McLennan.msp@parliament.scot
Craig Hoy MSP
Email: Craig.Hoy.msp@parliament.scot
Martin Whitfield MSP
Email: Martin.Whitfield.msp@parliament.scot
East Lothian Councillor Norman Hampshire (Council Leader)
Email: nhampshire@eastlothian.gov.uk
East Lothian Councillor Donna Collins
Email: dcollins2@eastlothian.gov.uk
East Lothian Councillor Lyn Jardine
Email: ljardine1@eastlothian.gov.uk
East Lothian Council Planning Department
Email: policyandprojects@eastlothian.gov.uk
SEPA
Email: planning.south@sepa.org.uk
NatureScot
Email: South@nature.scot
Historic Environment Scotland
Email: HMConsultations@hes.scot
Group Email:
Econsents_Admin@gov.scot; douglas.alexander.mp@parliament.uk; cabsecfornze@gov.scot; Paul.McLennan.msp@parliament.scot; Craig.Hoy.msp@parliament.scot; Martin.Whitfield.msp@parliament.scot; nhampshire@eastlothian.gov.uk; dcollins2@eastlothian.gov.uk; ljardine1@eastlothian.gov.uk; policyandprojects@eastlothian.gov.uk; planning.south@sepa.org.uk; South@nature.scot; HMConsultations@hes.scot
On 7th November 2024 Voltalia submitted a Scoping Report to the Electricity Consents Unit (ECU) which has 9 weeks to return a Scoping Opinion on what form the Environmental Impact Assessment should take. Click on the image below to read the whole Scoping Report
On 28th August 2024, the residents of Oldhamstocks parish were given their first opportunity to examine the information provided by Voltalia on the proposed Springfield Solar Farm. Over 80 residents attended the drop-in consultation event. Many concerns were raised about the project and the lack of information provided by the representatives of the developer. Feedback, in the form of a pre-prepared questionnaire was available until 17th September 2024.
THE SITE
The Proposed Development would be constructed and operated on land covering the farms of Springfield and Oldhamstocks Mains.
The Site will occupy an area of approximately 184 hectares (455 acres). The site slopes to the north/northeast to approx. 85m AOD (A height may be expressed as above ordnance datum (AOD). Usually mean sea level (MSL) at a particular place is used for the datum.), as well as sloping to the south down to approx. 128m AOD at the southern boundary.
SOLAR PV MODULES & MOUNTING STRUCTURES
Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic cells and are designed to maximise the absorbance of incident solar radiation whilst minimizing reflection. Each string (row) of solar panels is intended to be mounted on a rack, comprised of piles, with gaps left between each string to avoid inter-panel shading. These gaps will depend on local topography but in general will be between 2 - 8m. Each solar panel will be orientated to be south facing, and tilted to an angle, typically between 10 to 25 degrees from horizontal to maximise exposure to the sun. Solar panels will be mounted at a typical height of 0.8m, rising to approximately 3.2m, depending on the exact angle from horizontal required.
ON-SITE SUBSTATION AND CABLING
The site will contain the substation which will have an approximate footprint of 40 x 80m. Immediately adjacent to the substation is a further substation planned by the network operator. This will have an approximate footprint of 80 x 80m. Further details of this substation are expected to be included in a separate planning application.
BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS)
A BESS facility, with anticipated generating capacity of up to 150MW. This will be situated in the vicinity of the substation compound. The BESS facility will have a footprint of approximately 245 x 68m. The BESS facility will be composed of containerised battery storage units.