Multi-million solar farm that could generate energy for thousands of homes proposed near Dunfermline

Edinburgh based energy developers from Craigluscar Solar Ltd have proposed the solar farm and battery storage development on 90 hectares of land along Craigluscar Road just 3km from Dunfermline city centre.

If approved, it would have enough capacity to generate energy for around 40% of current homes in the city – or 10,700 UK homes – for a year.

The site is located on farmland used for grazing livestock and is situated about 1km from the Milemark area in northwest Dunfermline, and about 3km from Dunfermline city centre.

The proposal includes solar panels, battery storage units, perimeter fencing, CCTV cameras, an internal access track, underground cabling, inverters, substations, grid connection, environmental enhancement measures and other ancillary development.

A new £40 million solar and battery farm could be on the horizon for this field off of Drumtuthill Road near Dunfermline. LDRS

“A solar farm of this size will generate and export approximately 52GWh of locally sourced renewable electricity to the national grid annually. This is equivalent to a typical annual demand of circa 10,800 UK households. The Proposed Solar Farm will offset approximately 27,664 tonnes of carbon dioxide in year one,” a planning statement said.

“This represents a significant contribution to the legally binding national and international targets to increase renewable energy generation and reduce carbon emissions.”

According to developers, the Dunfermline Townhill substation has an “imbalance of generation and demand”. That’s why Craigluscar Solar wants to build this solar and battery farm near the substation to help meet local demand.

If the proposals are approved, the solar farm would connect to the existing Scottish Power network at the Dunfermline Townhill Grid Supply Point 3km to the southeast via an underground cable.

Developers have also listened to community concerns about construction and traffic. All HGV delivery vehicles will be required to arrive via M90, B914, B915, A823 and Drumtuthill Road to reduce local impact.

It is also proposed that land around and underneath the panels will continue to support grazing by sheep.

Craigluscar Solar have also committed to providing a community benefit fund for use by the local community. The details are not set in stone, but the benefits would be managed between Saline and Steelend, Milesmark and Baldridge, and Carnock and Gowkhall Community Councils.

Some of the ideas for the community benefit fund include: community energy cost subsidies towards fuel poverty, insulation and renewable energy; contributions towards local events or heritage projects; and EV charging points installed within the local area.

“[Developers] are keen to support the local community around Craigluscar and will support the Community Councils should the project be consented,” a planning statement said.

They said there will also be a wider socio-economic benefit to the local and national economy through the total £40 million project investment and opportunities for local businesses to support the project during the construction phase.

The planning application is currently open for public consultation. The council will evaluate the plans and make a decision in due course.