A new solar farm that will power hundreds of homes in Bourne has been hooked to the national grid – in spite of a local farmer still pondering over whether to let a cable connection run through his land.
Final testing of Lark Energy’s 20,000 5.6MWp solar panels at Limes Farm in Spalding Road, Twenty, took place on Thursday.
Managing director Jonathan Selwyn said: “We are delighted the solar farm is now producing clean energy – enough to power about 1,400 homes. It is one of the biggest in the country.
“Construction started in January and it has been a challenge completing it so quickly in such muddy conditions.”
The farm covering 30 acres has been connected to the national grid via overhead lines, with “alternative routes” under discussion.
Mr Selwyn said: “Although the panels are in place and generating power, there is still some landscaping to be done.
“The land will also be put back to agriculture as we will be re-seeding it so sheep can graze on it.”
Neville Bish farms the neighbouring Mason’s Farm and says he has been wrestling with his conscience about whether to allow cabling through his land and accept substantial compensation.
Mr Bish said: “I’ve always been against any development taking good arable land out of production. Energy farms are ruining land for a fast buck.
“There’s a world food shortage – it just doesn’t make sense. I’m just pleased I don’t have to drive past it. It looks like a load of plasma screens. The wire fencing looks like Colditz.
“It’s so alien to its natural environment. We’re never going to see birds, foxes or badgers on there again.
“So you see why it’s so hard for me to decide what to do. But if I don’t allow it they will go round, so maybe I will say yes and donate some money to charity.”