Why are we building bigger solar farms if we can't connect them to the grid?
The Government says it is working to free up connections and bring forward schemes, alongside investment in the network
Campaigners are calling for a ban on new solar farms here - claiming the National Grid in Devon can't cope.
It's after the Derril Water Solar Park, near Holsworthy, was told to pause its supply to prevent a 'network overload'.
Steve Crowther, the chair of the Devon Branch of The Campaign To Protect Rural England, said: "We're being asked to constantly add larger and larger solar farms into the grid in Devon and we just don't think the grid can handle it.
"This Derril Water site at the moment is 163 acres and since then we've had an application for 279 acres up at Bullworthy and there's this one floating around for 2,700 acres called Holsworthy Beacon."
Mr Crowther believes councils are under pressure to approve plans - even if connections are not immediately guaranteed - as they fear losing expensive legal challenges if they refuse applications.
In response the Government's told us the UK has 'one of the most reliable electricity systems in the world' and it's working to minimise 'constraints' and address 'decades of underinvestment'. It says it's working on creating more 'community benefits' for areas impacted by solar farms
National Grid call the issues at Derril Water Solar Park 'temporary' which it says it knows is 'frustrating' and is working to manage the impact.
What has happened?
In a letter sent to its members on May 26, the Board of Derril Water Solar Co-op described "an unexpected electricity grid issue" requiring the solar farm and other renewable generators to shut down "to prevent potential network overload".
Devon CPRE Chair Steve Crowther said: "The problem has been triggered by works being carried out at the transmission network substation at Alverdiscott, near Barnstaple. Information received so far indicates that the curtailment could remain in place throughout the summer and potentially until early September."
He added: "We have been concerned for some time that the grid was not up to the job and constantly adding new, large solar farms would lead to a situation similar to that in Spain last April, where the whole grid collapsed. The government’s policy of allowing international investors a free rein in building solar over our countryside is totally irresponsible.
"One man’s obsession does not constitute strategic planning. All further megasolar projects should be halted until a proper strategic energy plan is put in place, which acknowledges the realities of what energy is required where, and what inputs our grid can reliably accept without falling over.
"The transition to renewable energy must be properly planned. Protecting our countryside, safeguarding productive farmland and ensuring that energy infrastructure is fit for purpose are all essential parts of achieving that goal."
What has National Grid said?
A National Grid Electricity Distribution spokesperson said: “We’re aware of temporary constraints affecting some generators connected in North Devon.
“These are linked to wider network conditions and ongoing works on the electricity system. We are working closely with the National Energy System Operator to manage the impact locally.
“We recognise this is frustrating for those affected and we are engaging directly with customers to keep them update."
What has the Government said?
A Department for the UK's Energy Security and Net Zero department said: "Solar is one of the cheapest and quickest forms of energy to build – getting us off fossil fuels and delivering energy security so we can get bills down for good.
“The UK has one of the most reliable electricity systems in the world – in its 75-year history, there has never been a complete grid shutdown.”
The spokesperson added that the 'National Energy System Operator continuously monitors the condition of the electricity system to ensure there are sufficient inertia and reserves in the system to prevent large-scale power outages'.
They stressed that the problems in Spain, cited by the CPRE, were not directly caused by issues with 'too much solar' and instead a 'mix of factors' was confirmed in an official report.
When asked if councils felt under pressure to approve solar farms in Devon, the spokesperson replied: "All projects are subject to rigorous planning processes, and the views of the local community must be taken into account.
"We are exploring ways communities can benefit from hosting clean energy projects, including local funding."