There has been a lot of discussion about solar farms in Devon of late. In October 2024, a huge new solar farm plans was announced in South Hams and last month, a solar farm at Ebberley Down in north Devon was approved after appeal
Also wind farms have been in the news, with the Crown Estates’ Devon and Cornwall proposed wind farms seen as ‘devastating’ for fishers, a backlash growing against a north Devon offshore wind farm and on Devon’s border, Portland Port and an energy firm teaming up on wind farm plans.
There has also been debate over the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project to bring solar from the Sahara to north Devon: the former Tesco boss wants to send power from Morocco to Great Britain using subsea cable, but ‘chaos’ is feared over this planned Morocco to Devon power cable link.
In other words, there is huge controversy over creating new energy production and energy delivery systems in Devon.
Is this simply nimbyism – or can we live with such projects without upsetting people and wildlife?
Here are some possible ways ahead – with the focus on the Sid Valley:
- We can look to the likes of Exeter Community Energy offering free advice on keeping cosy and to saving energy and money by retrofitting our homes.
- We can realistically be looking to local energy production – and now that Community Energy is in the Energy Bill, we can be more than hopeful that projects will have to have proper local buy-in.
- As we look to local energy production as an alternative to electricity pylons marching across the landscape, “why not consider easy-to-fit and operate solar panels installed on Sidmouth town’s roofs and a community solar and sheep farm on the Sidford fields instead of the industrial estate” – as a suggestion for acting locally on climate change through solar energy.
- And what about wave energy generation for Sidmouth? After all, “the world is looking for ways renewable sources can be used to meet our increasing energy demands. With the goal of reducing carbon emissions, the major question remains as to why sea and ocean waves have not been tapped into yet.”
Any more suggestions?!
Do get in touch with CAPS!