Electrical engineers scoop contract for planned solar energy farm which could power 100,000 homes
A Huddersfield-based firm will provide electrical engineering services at the planned Sunnica Energy Farm – a 500 MW solar-plus-storage project.
The deal has been secured by Smith Brothers Contracting. The clean energy scheme is classified as a “Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project” and, if approved, will be capable of powering around 100,000 homes.
Acting as the Independent Connection Provider (ICP), Smith Brothers will provide a turnkey solution for the renewable energy site, including all civil, electrical primary and grid works – from initial design through to construction, commissioning, and electrical balance of plant.
The business will also oversee the building of three 132kV substations and the laying of a 132kV cable route to the solar farm, to connect the site to the Burwell National Grid Substation.
The proposed 16-km of cabling must traverse existing infrastructure, including a railway line and dual carriageway.
Dave Ogden, director at Smith Brothers, said: “The Sunnica Energy Farm is set to be a momentous project in meeting the UK’s green energy targets, and everyone at Smith Brothers is delighted to be working on such a prestigious scheme.
“Planning works are already well underway, with a 30-strong team from across the business set to collaborate on the delivery.”
Luke Murray from Sunnica added: “Solar energy generation and battery storage are a sustainable and clean means of meeting our changing energy needs – particularly the Government’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Given the potential scale of the Sunnica Energy Farm, it was vital that we appointed an ICP which had a solid reputation for deliveries of this significance. Although this is the first time we’ve worked with Smith Brothers, we’re well-versed in some of the company’s other renewable project deliveries and are confident the team will ensure a timely and successful energisation.”
Planning works are already in progress, with construction set to begin in 2022 and a target energisation date of 2025.
