Thrift Solar Farm & BESS

Introducing Thrift Solar Farm & BESS

ib vogt UK Ltd is preparing to submit a planning application to Epping Forest District Council for a solar farm & BESS on land east of Tawney Common, Theydon Mount, Epping, Essex, CM16 7PU.

The project would have capacity of 30MW with the proposed development creating enough renewable energy to meet the annual electricity demands of approximately 8,123 homes. It would also offset approximately 4,906 tonnes of CO2 each year and 196,240 tonnes of CO2 during the lifetime of the project. This is the equivalent of taking around ___ cars off the road.

The co-located battery storage facility will supply electricity to the electricity network at times of peak energy demand and help make the renewable energy output of the solar farm a secure and reliable part of the UK energy supply.

The proposed site location sits within a semi-rural landscape which will have pre-existing hedgerows and trees to provide screening. While there are no statutory landscape, heritage or ecological designations on site, we will be considering these matters carefully in developing our proposals alongside the feedback received.

Why do we need to do this?

The Climate Emergency, cost of living crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine have all highlighted the salience of importance of energy production and energy independence. We urgently need to generate energy from new, lost cost, low carbon sources and solar is the lowest cost and quickest to deploy of all energy sources.

In 2019, the UK became the first country in the world to declare a Climate Emergency. It has subsequently committed to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. The new UK Government wants to make the UK a “clean energy superpower”. As a key mission, the Government has committed to achieving a zero-carbon electricity system by 2030.

This proposal will provide wide ranging benefits, including:

  • It will assist Epping Forest District Council in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with local and national targets in response to the Climate Emergency.

  • It will contribute towards the security of energy supply in Essex through the provision of local, renewable electricity.

  • Careful consideration has been given to the development to avoid effects on landscape, heritage, or ecological designations.

  • A community fund will be established to invest in local projects and initiatives.

  • This is a temporary development, allowing the land to rest for a period of operation up to 40 years.

  • Decommissioning and full restoration of the site at the end of life of the development will be secured via planning condition.

  • The proposed solar farm will not require Government subsidy.

Who are we?

ib vogt UK Ltd is a leading utility-scale developer with a 20-year track record in the renewable energy sector. ib vogt UK Ltd is headquartered in London with a team of experienced engineers, project developers, planners and land and grid managers.

ib vogt is a leading solar and battery developer storage developer in the UK and has built almost 500MW of solar projects across the nation, with another 300+ MW of solar and BESS currently under construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Public Consultation Event

You are invited to our public consultation event which will be taking place on TBC at TBC (2pm - 7pm).

April 2025

Pre-Submission Consultation

Project Timeline

April/May 2025

May 2025

Finalise Proposed Design

End of 2025

Submit Planning Application

Planning Decision

Contact us.

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If you wish to contact us or require further information, please feel free to use the form (situated to the right) or by the following methods:

Email: Feedback@alpacacommunications.com

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