Isle of Man’s first solar farm plotted

Proposed by Peel Cubico Renewables, the £30m Billown Solar Farm could provide enough power to meet 7% of the island’s electricity demand.

PCR is a joint venture between developer Peel NRE and renewable energy company Cubico Sustainable Investments.

If PCR successfully gains planning permission, the solar farm will sit on 84 acres west of Malew Road, near Castletown.

The farm would have a capacity of 26MW, which PCR said could power up to 7,700 homes. That number roughly equates to nearly 20% of the homes on the island.

The proposals include a battery storage facility and 40,920 photovoltaic panels. PCR plans for the site to be operational by 2024 and is working with Manx Utilities Authority to ensure the solar farm’s energy can go into the grid.

Stephen Snowdon, planning and development manager at PCR, said: “The development could be operational by 2024 and is a no-regrets hedge against future price volatility for the Island as well as a huge opportunity for the Island to take control over its long-term energy needs by exploiting its own abundant indigenous and renewable energy resources for benefit of Manx consumers.”

Billown Solar Farm is meant to aid the Isle of Man in its push to have at least 20MW renewable energy generation by 2026.

During the solar farm’s 40-year lifespan, PCR estimates that it will be able to offset at least 11,000 tonnes of carbon.

“Our vision for this solar farm supports both the Isle of Man’s response to climate change and the government’s ambitions for renewable energy projects to help secure a bright economic future for the Island,” Snowdon said.

“We also recognise the cost-of-living crisis facing Island consumers and believe that the Billown solar scheme will offer a fantastic opportunity for stable, low-cost green energy to be made available to all Island residents and businesses.”

Consultation on the solar project runs until 13 November. More information can be found at my.engaged.space/billownsolar.