Humshaugh Net Zero

Community Solar in Humshaugh

Humshaugh is set to become one of the first places to host a community-based solar farm in the North East. Humshaugh Community Solar Limited (HCSL) is seeking local investors in this low-carbon electricity generation scheme. The solar farm, rated at one megawatt, will occupy a one hectare site near Lincoln Hill, Humshaugh and will provide, on average, half of the electricity demand of the Parish.

The project was developed by Humshaugh Net Zero (HNZ) on poor agricultural land near an old quarry. Herbie Newell, one of the founders of HNZ, said “ HNZ is purely a campaigning organisation so we set up HCSL to own the farm and attract local investment” . HCSL is a Community Benefit Society, a legal entity specifically designed to own community assets, with clearly defined rules to govern its activities. Investors will receive a fixed, annual return on their investment and profits will go into a community fund to help decarbonise local energy use through grants and loans for energy efficiency measures, the installation of low-carbon technologies and biodiversity projects in the locality.

Investors in community projects are usually looking for a modest return from a scheme with positive benefits for the local and wider community. This solar project will directly benefit the local area, make a positive contribution to fighting global warming by producing low carbon electricity and reduce the damage with which future generations will have to deal.

Northumberland County Council granted planning permission for the solar farm in 2023 and Northern Powergrid can provide a connection to their local electricity network. Making the scheme “Nature Positive” is an important aim - to make the site a better place for wildlife and plants than it is now. Local ecologists will direct this aspect.

At present, the regulations governing the sale of electricity do not allow a small solar farm like this to sell electricity directly to local consumers. Hopefully this will change in the future and HCSL will be able to supply the local area with cheaper electricity when the sun shines. HNZ has lobbied the local MP, Mr Opperman, to support the changes necessary.

Anyone interested in the scheme, including investing in it, can find further information on the HCSL website, www.humshaughsolar.org David Still of HSCL said “We are already a sixth of the way to reaching our target of raising £300,000 from local investors which is very reassuring and keeps us on target to build the solar farm towards the end of 2024”.

Further information is available from David Still 07900 917047 or Nick Hayward 07768 513294 or Bill Grainger 07825 338839

David Still

07900 917047.