Welcome

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. We are excited about our plans and are delighted to share more information with you.

Brockwell Storage & Solar Ltd, formerly known as RNA Energy, is bringing forward updated plans for a new solar farm and battery storage facility at Sperberry Hill, North Hertfordshire.

You can learn more about our plans through the information here and through our virtual exhibition.

In January 2022, we conducted a consultation on our initial proposals and greatly appreciate the feedback we received. This led to the submission of our planning application in March 2022, which the Council refused in November 2023 because they believed the effects on the landscape and Green Belt outweighed the scheme’s benefits in a “…very finely balanced…” decision. Based on this outcome, we have materially revised our plans, reducing the number of solar panels, and the overall area of built development, whilst increasing certain separation distances and adding more woodland planting. Despite the reduced area of development, the level of renewable energy generation remains unchanged due to advanced technology. For more details, please visit the ‘Updated Plans’ section of this website.

We are now resubmitting an application for the updated plans to North Hertfordshire District Council.

About Brockwell Storage & Solar

Brockwell Storage and Solar, formerly known as RNA Energy, is dedicated to advancing the development and construction of a diverse portfolio of solar and storage schemes, aimed at providing the UK with affordable, clean, and reliable energy solutions.

The team is renowned for its extensive expertise and unwavering commitment to constructing the clean energy infrastructure required for a net-zero emissions future.

Our site selection process is thorough, taking into account a variety of factors, including the potential environmental benefits and technical feasibility of each location. We prioritise the integration of battery energy storage systems whenever possible to ensure the seamless delivery of energy to the grid during periods of peak demand. This strategic approach prevents the inundation of the grid with solar energy during low-demand periods and minimises the limitation of clean energy.

With our well-established track record as project developers, we specialise in fostering collaborative relationships with landowners and local stakeholders. This collaborative approach enables us to design and deliver scheme that are mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

The Site

The site spans 35.5 hectares of land south of Sperberry Hill and Stevenage Road, situated between St Ippolyts and Titmore Green. It is strategically situated due south of the National Grid’s Wymondley Substation, to which our proposed solar farm will connect.

Proximity to the electricity distribution network is crucial for the viability of renewable energy projects, and the neighbouring Wymondley Substation is one of the few in North Hertfordshire with the capacity to accept the power from large-scale renewable energy generation schemes.  This project can connect to Wymondley Grid without the lengthy delays which are affecting many renewable energy projects in the country and can therefore make a meaningful contribution to both the government’s 2030 carbon reduction commitments and North Hertfordshire’s objective to be net zero within the District by 2040. The scale of this local aspiration will require many renewable energy projects to be consented in the Borough, including those in the Green Belt.

Updated Plans

The updated plans for Sperberry Hill will still deliver the original 25MW solar farm and a 12.5MW battery storage facility. The scheme also retains improved existing access points off Little Almshoe Lane and Stevenage Road, as well as a combination of woodland and hedgerow planting to boost biodiversity.

Subsequent to our previous consultation and planning application process, we have made specific design changes. The original scheme featured solar panels with a power rating of 640 watts. With advancements in technology, the resubmission scheme proposes panels with a rating of 700 watts. This upgrade allows the project to deliver the same 25MW output with an overall reduction in the area of solar panels by more than 8.5%.

Key changes include:

  • The removal of solar panels and associated infrastructure in the southeastern corner of the previous scheme, south of the Hertfordshire Way. This adjustment ensures the Hertfordshire Way runs alongside the southernmost boundary of the solar farm, preserving open views for footpath users.
  • At Redcoats Farm, the previously proposed bund has been removed. The solar panels and fencing have been relocated significantly further from the southern property boundary. A timber stock fence and new hedge will be added along the northern edge of the panels. This solution will maintain the openness of the views from the property boundary and provide effective screening over time.
  • The solar panels and fencing have also been moved further from the western boundary of Redcoats Farm, with a new area of woodland planting proposed in this location.
  • An area of solar panels has been removed from the northwestern corner of the scheme, and additional woodland planting is proposed here to soften views from residential properties at the edge of St Ippolyts.

The area of new woodland planting proposed in the 2023 scheme was approximately 2,600 square meters. With the addition of the new planting areas, this figure will increase.

The resubmission scheme represents a reduction in built development compared to the 2023 scheme, specifically reducing the impact on sensitive receptors while maintaining the same renewable energy benefits.

Benefits

The proposals set out above will bring numerous benefits, including helping North Hertfordshire and the UK address climate change obligations, boosting the local economy, and increasing biodiversity.

 

Helping North Hertfordshire District Council Meet Its Net Zero Targets

North Hertfordshire District Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and aims to achieve net zero across the district by 2040. Our solar farm, with an export capacity of 25 MW, would provide for a reduction of approximately 15,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, meet the energy needs of around 7,000-8,000 homes, and more than double the installed renewable capacity in the District[1]*. This will play a crucial role in helping the district meet its net zero objective by 2040.

Given the location and settlements throughout North Hertfordshire, solar energy is the primary method to generate clean electricity to meet these goals. Other forms of renewable energy, such as onshore wind, are not considered feasible due to population density and the extent of residential development across the District. The views of the solar scheme will be limited, and the updated plans ensure the proposal will be even less visible.

Increasing biodiversity

As solar farms have a small footprint, the land between each solar panel can be converted to grassland and be used as grazing land by livestock. Our plans will further include substantial hedgerow, tree planting, and wilder grassland areas around the perimeter of each field. This will provide a huge boost to local pollinator, bird and small mammal (mice, voles, hedgehog, bat) species populations due to the increased habitat connectivity and additional food sources. The original scheme was planned to deliver an approximate 130% biodiversity net gain based on area-based habitats, and an approximate 155% net gain based on linear habitats such as hedgerows. We have not yet finally calculated the corresponding figures for the revised proposal but they will be very similar.

Economic benefits

The plans will deliver economic benefits, including new construction jobs to build the scheme and highly skilled engineering jobs to manage and maintain the site, as well as knock-on benefits to the local supply chain.

In addition, we are hoping to work with the local Parish Councils to develop a community fund for local projects.

Helping the UK become greener

With the pressing climate crisis, it is imperative for the UK to urgently transition away from fossil fuels. The new Government has pledged to deliver clean power by 2030, including a commitment to triple solar power in Britain. The new solar and battery farm in North Hertfordshire will help create a sustainable future for generations to come.

[1] Figures based on the Grid carbon intensity 2022

The Need for Renewables

Decarbonisation of our existing electricity supply infrastructure will necessitate the widespread deployment of new renewable energy generation projects. Further, the Committee on Climate Change’s Sixth Carbon Budget (December 2020) describes that demand for electricity will increase by 50% by 2035 and 100% by 2050, reflecting increasing electrification of the economy This increase is driven by population growth, the transition to electric vehicles, hydrogen production, and a move away from natural gas for heating.

To meet this growing energy demand, renewable, low carbon, and carbon-negative sources will be necessary to achieve net zero by 2050.

This development will support the country’s net zero targets by increasing the amount of clean, affordable, and secure electricity supplied to the grid.

Virtual Exhibition

Contact Us

Should you want any further information or have any questions, you can contact the team using the details below: