Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Cabinet received a report, the purpose of which was to consider the cessation of the ground mounted solar PV project at America Farm and withdrawal of the related planning application.
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Cabinet received a report on the 23 February 2015 to consider the way forward in respect of the two wind and three ground mounted solar PV projects namely Farms of Newborough (wind and solar) Morris Fen (wind and solar) and America Farm (solar only). |
The report to Cabinet on the 23 February advised members of potential issues relating to grid connections in the America Farm area. However this was now no longer relevant as the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) confirmed in August 2015 that the level of feed in tariff (FiTs) payments would significantly decrease over time, with the next reduction coming into force on the 1 January 2016 with a likely reduction of circa 80% of the tariff. DECC had also announced further reviews of the FiT and was likely to recommend further reductions in the rate over time. The reductions in FIT made the America Farm solar business model completely unviable.
Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED to approve the cessation of the solar project at America Farm and that the planning application in respect of America Farm be withdrawn.
That the America Farm solar scheme be ceased due to financial considerations as a result of lack of grid capacity and changes to government subsidies on FIT.
The announcement from DECC made alternative solar schemes similar to America Farm financially unviable at the present time.
None.
Report to Cabinet 23 February 2015 Future of Solar Wind Projects.
Publication date: 25/11/2015
Date of decision: 25/11/2015
Effective from: 01/12/2015
Accompanying Documents: