Billown Solar Farm Public Consulation A button which opens the main menu A button which opens the main menu
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Billown Solar Farm


This image: a photo of a man and a woman wearing
							 PPE whilst walking between panels on a solar farm.
							 The map: The map shows the southern half of the Isle of Man, with
							 an orange map marker indicating the proposed site location just
							 north of Castletown.


This consultation is now closed, but comments and suggestions are still welcome.

Welcome to the public consultation for our proposed Billown Solar Farm, near Castletown.

This interactive website will guide you through the plans. At the end you will be asked to complete a short survey.

You can listen along to an audio explanation of the scheme. This has been narrated by Stephen Snowdon (Planning & Development Manager for Peel Cubico Renewables).


info Look out for orange highlighted text like this - it will indicate interactive features on the map.


We are in the design phase, and the thoughts of local residents will help us shape the final designs. The sections below set out what we would like to achieve, and your views are important to us.

This consultation will close on 13th November 2022. The feedback provided in this consultation will help shape the final proposals. We will then submit a planning application.


Deetu · Billown Solar Farm
Read audio transcript



Map Key

Site location

Sustainable Energy - IOM Net Zero Targets


This image: a birds eye photo of a solar farm, showing
							 		 parallel rows of solar panels.
		 							 The map: The map has zoomed out to show the entire Island,
									 with an illustration of the Island's existing energy network,
									 which is detailed in the map key below. The only renewable
									 energy sources shown on the map are the existing Sulby
									 Hydroelectric Plant and the proposed Billown solar farm.

Most of the Island's electricity comes from burning gas or importing energy. Some residents have adopted the use of solar panels for their properties. But, there is no solar power on the Island available to the public.

Our plan is the first of its kind. It would start the reduction of carbon from electricity generation on the Island. We are proposing to install around 26 megawatts (MW) of capacity. This would generate enough power for up to 7,500 homes, or around 20% of the homes on the Island. This is equivalent to the total number of homes in Castletown four times over!


info Zoom into the map to explore the Island's existing energy network.


The Government's Economic Strategy calls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030. In addition to this, the Government approved their Isle of Man Climate Change Plan 2022-2027 in October 2022. This plan calls for at least 20MW of renewable electricity generation by 2026.

Our plans would fulfil this goal and help the Island to achieve its climate ambitions.


Deetu · Billown Sustainable Energy
Read audio transcript

Map Key

Proposed Billown Solar Farm
Existing Energy Network (illustrative):
Primary substation
Pulrose Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Station
Peel and Pulrose Diesel Stations
Energy from Waste (EFW) Plant
Sulby Hydroelectric Plant
33kV network
Subsea cable link
Gas imports
Diesel imports

Energy Security & Resilience


This image: a photo showing the view over Port Erin and east
							 		 towards Port St Mary and Castletown.
		 							 The map: The map has zoomed in to the site location, between
									 the A7, A3 and A5. The steam railway line is shown passing
									 south of the site. Also to the south is Castletown.

The cost of energy has increased rapidly in recent months, and we know this is on peoples' minds. It reminds us of the importance to ensure the security of our energy sources.

Much of the electricity used on the Island comes from imported natural gas. This resource is vulnerable to significant price volatility. Local power generation will help reduce the Island's exposure to these price fluctuations.

Our plans for a 26MW solar farm and battery storage facility will reduce the reliance on imported energy, and help balance fluctuations in supply and demand.


Deetu · Energy Security and Resilience
Read audio transcript

Map Key

Site location
Railway line

Our Vision


This image: an illustrative photo of rows of solar panels on a
					 		 solar farm.
							 The map: The map shows satellite imagery behind the proposed site
							 boundary, with areas indicating the proposed placement of the
							 solar panels and access road. Interactive map markers show more
							 information about the design elements when clicked on. These are
							 also described in the audio track below.

This would be the first on-Island renewable energy source feeding into the power grid. We want to work with the Manx Utilities Authority to provide this energy security.

The solar panels will capture sunlight and convert this into electricity. This will then feed into the Island's power grid via a transformer located at Castletown.

We are proposing to install around 40,920 panels and a battery storage facility. This will cover 84 acres, each panel with an average output of 650W. This equates to a projected total capacity of c.26.5MW, enough to power up to 7,500 homes. The panels and battery storage will have a maximum height of about three metres above ground.


info Click on the map markers to find out more about our vision and to see illustrative photos of ground-mounted solar panel arrays.


This site is ideal for a solar farm with its gentle slope and south facing position. This allows the panels to capture sunlight throughout the day to ensure maximum efficiency. The nearby Castletown 33kV substation will provide an efficient link to the Island's grid.

When we procure panels, we strive to comply with the best-quality standards, regulations, and laws. You can read more about both Peel L&P's and Cubico's commitment to ethical procurement by clicking the following links:

peellandp.co.uk/about-us/sustainability/reports-and-policies

cubicoinvest.com/news/cubico-sustainable-investments-publishes-first-corporate-esg-report


Deetu · Our Vision
Read audio transcript

Map Key

Site boundary
Railway line
Existing overhead lines
Site information
Illustrative photos of solar arrays
Solar panel array areas
Proposed battery storage area

Site Environment & Neighbours


This image: a photo taken from the centre of the site, looking
					 		 northwest. The existing overhead cables are visible passing
							 through the site.
							 The map: The map shows satellite imagery behind the proposed site
							 boundary. Interactive map markers show more information about the
							 site environment when clicked on. These are also described in the
							 audio track below. Two further interactive markers show photos
							 looking towards the site from the A7 and the A5. From these
							 viewpoints, the site is barely visible, instead shielded by
							 neighbouring fields and field boundaries.

The site consists of agricultural land, with little habitat or biodiversity. As with all our sites, we are committed to improving this biodiversity.

The site only covers 0.07% of the total agricultural land on the Island. It is not the most versatile land available, and has limited agricultural use. Our plans would allow and encourage continued grazing on the land.


info Click on the map markers to find out more about the site environment and to view photos of the site from the A5 and A7.


The site will be well hidden from most settlements in the surrounding area. The existing boundary hedgerows and trees will obscure much of the site from outside view.


Deetu · Site Environment and Neighbours
Read audio transcript

Map Key

Site boundary
Railway line
Site information
Existing views towards the site

Creating a Community


This image: a photo of a mother and child walking alongside rows
					 		 of solar panels on a solar farm.
							 The map: The map shows the site boundary and wider area,
							 including Castletown to the south, Ballabeg to the northwest and
							 Ballasalla to the northeast. Interactive map markers show
							 illustrative photos of example community initiatives, which may benefit
							 from Peel Cubico Renewable's community benefits contribution.

When we build in a community, we offer a community benefits contribution. This is a financial commitment to helping local communities achieve their goals. A panel of local residents manages the fund, which can contribute to different causes. We want people who live and work in these communities to direct the spending of the fund.


info Click on the map markers to see some examples of community initiatives that could benefit from the contribution.


We want to know more about the cause or project you think could benefit from this contribution. Please take some time to share your views, and let us know how this could improve the local community.

You can read more about our work with local communities on our website.


Deetu · Creating a Community
Read audio transcript

Map Key

Site boundary
Railway line
Suggested community benefits

Why Billown Solar


This image: A photo of a solar panel array in a field, on a
					 		 similar scheme to Billown Solar.
							 The map: The map has zoomed in to the site location, between
							 the A7, A3 and A5. The steam railway line is shown passing
							 south of the site. Also to the south is Castletown.

A solar farm at Billown will bring many benefits to the Island. This scheme will:

  • Provide about 7% of the Island's electricity demand, enough to power up to 7,500 homes.

  • Provide long-term energy security to the Island, at stable and affordable prices.

  • Reduce the carbon produced from the Island's electricity generation.

  • Be a private capital investment of about £30 million. This will attract further investment and jobs to the Island.

  • Offset more than 11,000 tonnes of CO2 per year for 40 years. This is equivalent to taking 6,400 average cars off the road!

  • Be in operation by 2024.

  • Allow residents and businesses to access Manx-generated renewable electricity.

  • Use the integrated battery system to help balance supply and demand fluctuations.

  • Retain economic value on the Island by using a mature and proven technology.

We would love to hear what you think. Scroll to the next section to answer our survey.


Map Key

Site boundary
Railway line

Your Thoughts


This image: an illustrative image of a group of people having a
					 friendly discussion.
					 The map: The map has zoomed back in to focus on the site boundary.
					 There is an interactive map marker which opens the survey when
					 clicked on. The survey can also be reached by the button in the text
					 below.

This consultation is now closed, but comments and suggestions are still welcome.

Thank you for taking the time to read more about the proposed Billown solar farm.

Please complete the brief survey below. Your views really matter to us.




The survey will close on the 13th November 2022.


info Click on the map marker to go to the survey, or click the orange button above.


Map Key

Site boundary
Railway line
Link to the survey

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An Engaged Space community engagement on behalf of Peel Cubico Renewables. Powered by Deetu.

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