CAMPAIGNERS who seek to ‘protect the countryside’ have reacted to news that a large solar farm near Holsworthy is set to be temporarily shut down due to capacity issues.

The Devon branch of the Campaign for Rural England (CPRE) has said that it has learned that output from the Derril Water solar farm, in Pyworthy, is set to be shut down until at least September.

Derril Water is a 42-megawatt solar farm of which the construction was met with a campaign from CPRE, who are also heavily involved in a campaign to prevent an even larger proposal for a solar farm at Holsworthy Beacon from being built.

It is understood that the reason for the closure is due to a fault at Alverdiscott Substation that it is said threatens to overload the National Grid.

In an update sent to members of the co-operative which owns the solar park, the reasons for the closure were stated.

It said: “The shut down is unexpected, outside of our control and nothing to do with the Solar Park which would otherwise be generating normally through the summer. Our technical manager RES is engaging with the Network Operators to better understand the cause and explore whether the duration or impact of the curtailment can be reduced.

“We are also reviewing whether the company’s operational insurance policies may provide coverage for losses incurred as a result of this interruption. However, network outages are not normally covered by insurance. We will keep members informed as we know more.”

It was acknowledged that the timing ‘could not be worse’ for the owners of the solar park, with the email adding: “The curtailment of the Solar Park at the beginning of our first summer of generation could not be worse timing and will substantially impact the amount of revenue generated this year.

“Once we understand more about the constraint and mitigation options, we will update the projections presented at the AGM, including implications for member energy savings payments.”

Devon CPRE’s energy spokesman, Dr Phil Bratby, says, “This is exactly the sort of issue you would expect with a distribution network when it’s used for purposes for which it was not designed (i.e. connect uncontrollable generators, with no spare capacity). Devon CPRE has been warning of such eventualities. Dare we say, we told you so!”

Steve Crowther, the campaign group’s chair added: “We have been concerned for some time that the Grid was not up to the job and constantly adding new, large solar farms would lead to a situation similar to that in Spain last April, where the whole Grid collapsed. The government’s policy of allowing international investors a free rein in building solar over our countryside is totally irresponsible. One man’s obsession does not constitute strategic planning.

“All further megasolar projects should be halted until a proper strategic energy plan is put in place, which acknowledges the realities of what energy is required where, and what inputs our grid can reliably accept without falling over.”

The National Grid have been approached for further comment.