Representation by John Bridges
- Date submitted
- 13 February 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I lived in Kennet for 24 years, worshipped in Chippenham, and have moved temporarily to Saffron Walden for family reasons. I strongly object to this huge, unsightly, dangerous and misrepresented scheme for many reasons, including: 80% of the profits from the Sunnica scheme come from the battery energy storage, not the solar panels..ie it is an energy price arbitrage system not a solar farm. The BESS batteries are known to be dangerous and the fire suppression system cant put out the battery fire since it is very powerful. Fire brigades just let them burn out. And the BESS are near houses and schools, not very clever It takes c 3,000 acres of very good agricultural land out of use for 40 years..this is not sensible in a post Brexit age. The Sunnica consultation was very poor and should be re-done Small nuclear would be a better bet, safe, small footpring, reliable, always available etc.. as in France. Having previously lived in Kennett for 25 years, I strongly object to this massive and dangerous solar farm scheme for many reasons: 1. BESS is not safe; the fire extinguisher system will not put out a fierce battery fire 2. Solar panels are mostly made in China using slave labour 3. Solar panels are very inefficient, c 20%, and degrade over time 4. 80% of the profit from this scheme comes from the BESS, arbitraging the hourly energy price. So only 20% of profit comes from the 3,000 acre solar farm 5. The area applied for is FAR too big and takes out valuable high quality arable land 6. No local agency or Council supports this massive dreadful scheme.