Energy firm scraps solar farm plans - 23/11/2011

An energy supplier specialising in renewable power has announced it will scrap plans to develop a new solar farm.

Ecotricity confirmed the proposed plant at Chewton Mendip in Somerset will not go ahead, with the firm blaming cuts in government subsidies for the decision.

The 26-acre site would have generated enough electricity to power 1,500 homes, but the renewable energy provider said it is no longer commercially viable due to the reduction of the Feed-in Tariff scheme, which has been slashed by 70 per cent for large-scale projects.

Spokesman for Ecotricity Stuart Brennan said: "The government has put a lot of effort into building up this industry and has suddenly dragged the rug out from underneath the industry just when it was getting going."

However, it is not just larger projects that may be affected by the plans, as installations on residential properties are also set to see a drop in funding from December 12th this year.

This has led to many householders rushing to install photovoltaic systems so they can join the scheme before this date, the Daily Mail recently reported, as the old fees will still be paid to individuals who register before then.

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