Plans have been put forward for the first grid-scale solar farm and battery storage on the Isle of Man.

Following an extensive public consultation, in which 90% of Manx residents stressed the importance of renewable energy generation on the Island, Peel Cubico Renewables (PCR) has applied for planning permission for the Billown Solar Farm in Malew, near Castletown.

The new facility which could be operational next year, would be built on 84 acres of agricultural land to the west of Malew Road (A3) and south of Douglas Road (A7). The solar farm would have an installed capacity of around 27MW – enough to power nearly 8,000 homes per year, almost 21% of total households on the Island.

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The battery storage facility would have a capacity of 24MW and would enable electricity to be stored and exported to help Manx Utilities balance its grid network and provide energy security to the local network during times of peak demand.

The solar farm would generate enough power to meet more than 7% of the Isle of Man's current electricity demand and support the Government’s aim for electricity on the Island to be 100% green by 2030.

It would also help the Island to become less vulnerable to volatile oil and gas prices.

The project represents an investment of around £30m across the 40-year anticipated life of the project, at no cost to public finances.

Each year, it would offset at least 11,000 tonnes of carbon - the equivalent of approximately 6,600 fewer car journeys per year. PCR would also set up a Community Benefit Fund to provide financial support to local groups for community projects.

PCR is a joint venture formed in 2021 between natural resources and energy business Peel NRE (part of Peel L&P) and Cubico Sustainable Investments, one of the world’s largest privately-owned renewable energy companies.