Supplier Opportunities

About Seaham Solar Park

The site
Elements Green is developing a proposal for a solar farm, approximately 1.5 kilometres to the north of Seaham. There is a rich history of power generation through the famous coal mine in Seaham, this proposed Solar Park will see to continue that. Seaham Solar Park will contribute to the UK Government’s target to meet 95% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030. The total site area is approximately 80 hectares over 4 parcels of land on the edge of Seaham to the south of Ryhope. The larger parcel to the east is located between the railway and the B1285. The two smaller parcels to the west are located to the north of the A19 and the west of the A1018.

The Proposals
Seaham Solar Park would be an array of solar panels covering approximately 80ha. Our initial site layout plan shows the potential arrangement of solar panels across the site. Due to the scale of the proposed Seaham Solar Park, it will be submitted to Sunderland City Council and Durham County Council, due to it not being a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and because it falls within both Local Authorities. This applies to all energy generation projects below 50MW.

Connection to Grid
We are proposing to utilise existing distribution network infrastructure approximately 1km north of the intersection of the A19 and A1018. The location was chosen due to the optimal solar irradiance levels of coastal locations, longer daylight generation from its easterly position, its proximity to the connection point, the topography of the land, the significant level of existing natural screening and lack of agricultural operations on the Site. Underground cables would carry the energy from the panels through to the existing Northern Powergrid Distribution Network, which would distribute the energy to the wider area.

Need for Seaham Solar Park