Project Update
The first consultation for the Bowshiel Solar Farm project has now ended – thank you to those who provided their feedback and attended our public consultation event held at Cocksburnpath Village Hall on Tuesday 27th August 2024.
All feedback will now be collated and reviewed by the project team and details on how this has informed the proposals will be shared in due course.
You can still view all consultation materials by visiting our consultation website and if you have any questions regarding the project, please get in contact via bowshiel@voltalia.com.
Our next round of consultation is scheduled for early 2025, where we will seek to answer all questions and concerns. Please keep checking this website for any project updates or events coming up.
Solar capacity
170 megawatt (MW) (peak)
Battery energy capacity
Up to 150 megawatt (MW)
Project status
Pre-planning submission
Operational period
Up to 40 years
About the Project
Voltalia UK Ltd (‘Voltalia’) is proposing to develop Bowshiel Solar Farm, located approximately 2km south of Cockburnspath, East Berwickshire.
As the project is proposed to generate over 50MW, it will be subject to a Section 36 consent application submission. This application will be made to the Scottish Ministers via the Energy Consents Unit (ECU). We will be preparing the application over the next few months.
Development of renewable energy such as solar energy is vital to achieving Scotland’s ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2045 and this project would contribute to the Scottish Government target to deliver up to 6GW of solar development by 2030.
Site Location
The site covers approximately 190 hectares and is located approximately 2km south of Cockburnspath and 13km south-east of Dunbar in the Scottish Borders.
Site Location Plan
Overview of the Planning Process
Section 36 Consent
Proposals to construct, extend or operate an onshore electricity generating station with a capacity of over 50MW requires the consent of Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
As the project is proposed to generate over 50MW, it will be subject to a Section 36 consent application submission to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU). Whether to grant consent or not for the project will be determined by Scottish Ministers.
Environmental Impact Assessment
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) seeks to identify and assess the potential environmental impacts of a project. As the project falls under Schedule 2 of the Electricity Works (EIA) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, an EIA is required to be submitted as part of the application submission.
As part of the project, we will be submitting an EIA Scoping Report to help define what needs to be assessed as part of the EIA and how we intend to approach the assessment. This report is then submitted to the Scottish Ministers via the ECU who will then generate an EIA Scoping Opinion, setting out their views on our proposed scope and approach. These previous steps will then inform our EIA Report, which we will prepare and submit as part of the Section 36 consent application.
Project Timeline
Below is an indicative project timeline detailing the key activities which will take place prior to the Section 36 application submission.
We will be posting further updates here as the project progresses. If you’d like to receive regular updates, please contact us via bowshiel@voltalia.com.
Document Library
Key project documentation will be available to download here as the project progresses.
Public Consultation
Voltalia is committed to engaging early with the local community and it is important to us that those with an interest in the project have the opportunity to view and comment on the plans as they take shape.
You can help shape our proposals by telling us what matters to you and your community. Your feedback on the project is very important to us and will help inform the final design of the project.
We held the first public consultation period for the project between Tuesday 20th August and Tuesday 17th September 2024. Thank you to those who provided their feedback and attended our first public consultation event on Tuesday 27th August 2024 at Cockburnspath Village Hall. We are now reviewing and collating all feedback and will provide an update on how this has shaped our proposals in due course.
All consultation materials are still available to view via our consultation website.
Our next round of consultation is scheduled for early 2025, where we will seek to answer all questions and concerns. Please keep checking this website for any additional information or events coming up.
Community Benefits
As a renewable energy developer and provider, we want each of our projects to not only help improve the global environment by reducing carbon emissions but also help to improve the local environment.
We are committed to providing environmental, social and economic benefits to the communities who host our projects and encourage communities to engage with us on their priorities and aspirations. We are proposing to establish a Community Benefit Fund for the project and are keen to work with the local community to shape the fund and focus on local priorities.
We would love to hear from local residents, groups and businesses on how the project could benefit you. If you would like to share your ideas, please contact bowshiel@voltalia.com
Community Benefit Fund
Working with Local Suppliers
Enhancing habitat for species
Educational visits to local schools and the project
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to know more about Voltalia or this project, please contact us via bowshiel@voltalia.com.
Please also get in contact via bowshiel@voltalia.com if you are getting in touch regarding:
- Media and press enquiries
- If you are a local supplier and interested in getting involved in the project
- If you are a local group with ideas or opportunities for community benefit
About Voltalia
Voltalia is an international energy and service provider in the renewable energy market operating across three continents and in over 20 countries. Since Voltalia was founded in 2005, it has grown to be a world leading Independent Power Producer (IPP) developing, constructing and operating wind, solar, hydro, biomass and storage projects.
Find out more at www.voltalia.com
2.37GW of projects in operation globally
16.6GW of projects in the pipeline
Over 1850 employees worldwide
As a mission-driven company*, Voltalia is fully committed to its purpose to improve the global environment whilst fostering local development. All of our sites will contribute towards addressing national and local electricity needs by generating an affordable and renewable source of clean energy.
* Voltalia became a Mission-driven Company in May 2021. The company has registered in its by-laws a purpose and environmental and social objectives. Find out more on the Voltalia website.
