Walpole Bank Solar Farm

Construction on Walpole Bank Solar Farm is ongoing. Enabling works and access track construction will be starting very shortly and will be ongoing until the end of the year with a view to remobilise again in the early months in 2025. Alongside this, works on the BESS and export cable will be starting in Q4 this year.

On this page you can find key contact information and project updates.

 

Public Information Event

We would like to invite you to our public information event and Q&A session about the construction of the Solar Farm. Local residents are welcome to come and meet the project team, who can answer any questions you may have.

The event will be held on Tuesday 10th December 2024 6pm to 8pm at Main Hall, Walpole Community Center, Summer Close, Walpole St Andrew, Wisbech, PE14 7JW.

CONSTRUCTION ROUTING MAP

Contact details

Site Manager

Neil James

+44 75 078448 71

24-Hour Emergency Contact

This will be updated before construction begins.

General Enquiries

Peter Elms

Communications Lead

0800 707 4146

contact@walpolebanksolarfarm.co.uk

About Walpole Green Ltd

Walpole Green Ltd. Is a partnership between Verdant Energy and Ib Vogt.

Verdant Energy will deliver Walpole Bank Solar Farm through the construction phase and into operations. VerdantEnergy brings decades of experience in project development, delivery, and operations of renewable projects across the UK and abroad.

Ib Vogt is facilitating the construction of the solar farm (as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Principle Contractor) on behalf of Walpole Green Ltd. Ib Vogt is a leading utility-scale solar development platform with a global footprint and a 20-year track record.

Indicative Timeline

Site Preparing & Groundworks | September - December 2024

  • Access Tracks

  • Perimeter Fencing 

  • CCTV 

  • Site cleared of any existing structures or vegetation

  • Foundations for ancillary buildings

Array Framework Installation | February - May 2025

  • Strong and durable frames made from high-quality materials are installed which are designed for specific climate and weather conditions at the site.

  • Expert technicians use specialised equipment to drive the frames into the ground

Solar Panel Array Assembly | March – May 2025

  • Solar panels are placed onto the frames and securely fastened

  • Panels are position to ensure optimal exposure to the sun

  • Technicians ensure proper spacing and alignment between the panels and frames

  • Final checks are performed to ensure panels are functioning properly and securely mounted 

Cabling & Trenching | Export Cable November 2024 - March 2025, Solar Farm Cables February – June 2025

  • Trenches are carefully planned and marked out

  • Digging is carried out using specialised machinery to minimise damage to the surrounding environment

  • Cables are laid out in the trenches and protected using conduit or other protective materials

  • Trenches are then backfilled and compacted to protect the cables

Inverter Installation  | February - June 2025

  • Foundations are provided that comply with the sustainable drainage strategy so that the units can be elevated above ground level to prevent the introduction of new hardstanding.

  • Prefabricated containerised inverter-transformer containers are placed atop the foundations. 

  • Cables connect the solar arrays and inverters which will convert the power generated by the PV to usable power for export to the grid.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) & Connection Equipment | April - July 2025

  • Ground preparation and sustainable drainage provided for the BESS and Connection equipment. 

  • Prefabricated Battery and PCS Units are installed along with a “customer substation” switchgear unit. 

  • Cables connect the inverters and the BESS technology to the switchgear unit which will then be connected to National Grid infrastructure at Walpole Bank substation. 

Testing and Commissioning | July - October 2025 

  • Final testing of solar farm equipment and systems

  • Connection of solar farm to the electrical grid

Landscaping (According to Planting Season) | Late 2024 - Early 2025

  • Seeding and planting of site and boundaries

  • Implementation of a custom planting plan

  • Planting at the next suitable opportunity if outside of ideal planting seasons

Public Information Event and Q&A Session

We held a previous public information event and Q&A session about the construction of the Solar Farm. Local residents were able to speak to some of the key members of the project team.

The Q&A session was held on Tuesday 26 March 2024 6pm to 8pm at Main Hall, Walpole Community Center, Summer Close, Walpole St Andrew, Wisbech, PE14 7JW.