By Isle of Wight Observer
The owners of Chawton Solar Farm have submitted an application to the IW Council, aiming to remove the time limit on the site’s operational life. Quintas Energy, acting for Octopus Energy Generation, has applied to vary existing permission so the farm can continue producing clean power for as long as its equipment remains viable.
Located off Chawton Lane, in Northwood, the 9.3-hectare (23 acre) site was originally granted a 25-year lifespan, during the first wave of solar construction, and began operation in 2013. In 2015 this was extended to 30 years. Under the new application, the owners argue that fixed-term limits are an outdated relic of early subsidy schemes, and discourage investment. They propose the farm should remain operational until it ‘ceases to generate electricity,’ after which it would be decommissioned, and the land restored to agricultural use.
Quintas Energy says the current restriction makes repowering, where key components are replaced, difficult to justify. “It does not make sense to spend such high sums of money on a plant which will have to be dismantled within a decade or two, regardless of how well it is performing,” the planning statement notes.
The owners stress the extension would have a negligible impact locally, as the panels are mounted on piles requiring minimal foundations.
While the application seeks an indefinite term, a fall-back request for 55 years has also been lodged.
The planning statement claims the move aligns with updated national renewable energy policy, which now allows developers to seek consent without fixed limits.
Comments can be made via iw.observer/planning-portal until January 14 under reference 25/01721/RVC.
