A large crowd of residents gathered to voice their opposition to what could become one of Britain's largest solar energy installations. Over 200 local community members filled Holsworthy Memorial Hall in Devon to express their concerns regarding the massive 1,100 hectare (2,700 acre) Beacon Solar development.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) characterized the proposal as "a market dash in favour of government policy" and warned it would harm the area's "incredibly productive" agricultural land. In response, project developer Galileo Empower informed the BBC that the solar installation would "reduce reliance on fossil fuels," while government officials emphasized that any such development must undergo "a rigorous planning process."
Stephen Crowther from CPRE Devon expressed the community's anxiety, stating: "People are very, very worried about this, principally because of the size." He continued, "These big solar farms are now dropping out the sky at an alarming rate."
Crowther further argued: "There are other ways of doing this. They may be more inconvenient, they may be a little bit more expensive, but we will regret it if we allow our incredibly productive farmland to be used in this kind of market dash in in the favour of government policy."
Given the project's scale, it would qualify as a nationally significant infrastructure development, meaning the final approval decision rests with central government authorities rather than local planning committees.
However, academic experts argue that solar power plays a crucial role in achieving the government's climate objectives, particularly as it represents "the cheapest" renewable energy option available. Peter Connor, professor in sustainable energy policy at the University of Exeter, explained: "In a lot of circumstances, it's cheaper to build solar and wind energy than it is to build gas power stations."
Professor Connor emphasized the economic advantages, noting: "It's certainly a lot cheaper to build than a nuclear power station. It's a really good way for the UK to build its energy security while reducing costs, and also reducing its emissions."
Galileo Empower, the company behind the Beacon Solar project, defended their proposal by highlighting that climate change represents "one of the greatest threats to society." The developer stated: "As part of the UK's transition to clean, secure energy, the project will contribute to cutting emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and powering homes across the country for generations to come. We are fully committed to continue working closely with all local stakeholders during this early development stage and beyond."
A representative from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) countered local concerns by asserting: "The biggest threat to agriculture and nature is the climate crisis. Solar is the cheapest power, getting us off fossil fuels and delivering energy security so we can get bills down for good. All projects are subject to rigorous planning processes, and the views of the local community must be taken into account."
