Cubico Sustainable Investments is excited to present Frodsham Solar, a solar farm with energy storage situated north of Frodsham in Cheshire.

Due to the amount of power that Frodsham Solar would generate (more than 50 MW) the project is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). This means that to gain permission to build and operate the solar farm, a Development Consent Order (DCO) application has to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.  We will also be undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposals.  Ultimately, it will be determined by the Secretary of State as to whether the project is granted consent.

Although a planning application will not be submitted to the local planning authorities, who would be Cheshire West and Chester Council and Halton Borough Council, local authorities and stakeholder groups play a key role in the process and will be extensively consulted as the project moves forward.

Frodsham Solar would generate a significant amount of clean electricity to be supplied to businesses and homes in the region.

The total amount of clean electricity produced by Frodsham Solar will depend upon a range of factors, including technology at the time of construction, connection agreements with the regional distributor and local businesses, and the final project design (which will be informed by our upcoming consultations and environmental assessments). Therefore, we are not able to provide a definitive project capacity at this early stage of the proposals.

We do know that the project will generate well over 50 MW of electricity, and Frodsham Solar is therefore considered to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). In fact, our current early proposals have an indicative capacity in the region of 150 MW, although the project team acknowledge this may change as the design of Frodsham Solar develops.

We do not yet know the definitive capacity of the energy storage at this early stage of the project. However, we do know that the capacity will be linked to the size of the solar capacity, so that energy generated by Frodsham Solar that is not in demand can be stored for when it is needed.

Frodsham Solar would be situated at the heart of the Cheshire’s Energy Innovation District, a corridor of industry providing secure, low carbon and lower cost energy. Solar would complement the existing mix of low carbon technologies already present in this corridor, including onshore wind generation. Frodsham Solar would contribute a significant amount of low carbon energy to the district, further diversifying and strengthening the regional production of renewable power.

Frodsham Solar would also play an important role in contributing to the vision set out by Net Zero North West, to ensure that the North West leads the way in becoming a country-wide leader in low carbon and renewable technologies.

As well as Frodsham Solar being suitably located to support the North West’s vision to lead the way in low carbon technology, the site is a suitable location for a solar farm.

A range of environmental and technical factors suggest the site is a suitable location for a solar farm. These include the topography (being relatively flat), existing land uses being compatible, our understanding of potential environmental constraints, and existing access for construction vehicles. 

Frodsham Solar sits within an area of existing infrastructure, including Frodsham Wind Farm, and bordered by the M56, Mersey Estuary, River Weaver and the Manchester Ship Canal.

The site is also in close proximity to the grid connection at the existing Frodsham Substation, located adjacent to the site across the River Weaver, and clusters of local industry which are significant regional users of energy. This proximity means that electricity produced by Frodsham Solar won’t have to travel far to connect into where it is needed.

While it is too early to confirm the specific solar panels that would be installed for Frodsham Solar, it is likely that the panels will be fixed, with a maximum height of the panels (including their supports) to be 3.5 metres and a minimum height of the panels’ edge above ground level to be of 0.7 metres.

It is also too early to confirm specific suppliers of materials for Frodsham Solar. Procurement decisions such as this will be taken closer to the point of construction, to ensure appropriate panels are used based on technology, planning consent and best practice at the time. These decisions will be guided by an Outline Supply Chain and Employment Plan which we anticipate submitting as part of our planning application, as well as Cubico’s track record of using trusted and ethical suppliers. Cubico are signatories to Solar Energy’s Supply Chain Commitment and use industry leading audit services to verify the supply chain.

Yes. The solar panels used for Frodsham Solar will be as recyclable as practically possible. As part of our design materials, we will be seeking to minimise the use of non-recyclable materials. For example, instead of using concrete, materials such as steel will be used.

Up to 99% of materials in solar panels are recyclable and there are several established businesses that do this. Companies such as PV Cycle (pvcycle.org.uk) and Recycle Solar (recyclesolar.co.uk) can manage faulty or expired solar panels. Recently, the first factory specialising in solar recycling has opened in France. We expect this industry to continue to grow over time both across the world and in the UK, in direct proportion to the increasing number of solar panels that are installed. At the end of the project, as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) there will be a comprehensive decommissioning plan which will include the recycling of all materials used.

Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who took part in and engaged with our proposals during the first phase of consultation for Frodsham Solar. Following the close of consultation, the project team will be working hard to analyse and consider all feedback that has been received to help inform the design as the project moves forward.

Prior to the second phase of consultation, we will be producing a summary of the feedback that we have received so far, which will be made publicly available. In the meantime, our communication channels remain open if you have any questions about the project.