THE new Green Party leader has hailed plans for the largest UK solar farm as the ‘forefront of the green revolution’.
Natalie Bennett, who was elected last month, visited the site in Fareham, Hampshire earlier this week (October 14).
It will be the second largest solar development in Europe and generate enough electricity to power 14,000 homes a year, saving 24,800 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
According to The Portsmouth NewsThe Portsmouth News, she said: “This solar farm will put Fareham at the forefront of the green energy revolution that is needed to curb climate change and secure this country’s energy supply.”
She defended criticisms that the development may prove to be an eyesore.
She said: “We are talking about having wild flowers growing, sheep grazing and the rights of way maintained, not a large-scale housing development.
“The fact is that we do need more energy and we need to do a lot of work on energy conservation. Even if we do all we can, we still need low and zero carbon energy sources.
“The alternative to this is fracking, an extreme form of energy harvesting, basically blowing up the ground under your feet.
“Faced with destroying the earth or planting wild flowers and allowing sheep to graze, I think the choice is pretty obvious.”
If plans go ahead, the first solar panel will be installed next spring and the site would be protected against further development for 25 years.
A spokesperson from energy efficiency specialists, The Eco Experts said: “Solar farms are a fantastic way farmers and land owners can make extra money from their land. Often a dual-usage system can be rolled out, where by the land can still be used to graze chickens or small livestock as well as hosting the PV panels.
“It is wonderful news 14,000 households will benefit from free, clean energy and we hope that other landowners, developers and councils look to this project and replicate it across the country.”
