PLANS for Scotland’s largest solar energy farm have been given the go-ahead.

Moray Council has granted permission for Elgin Energy’s proposed 20 Megawatt (MW) development near Urquhart.

The project could see about 80,000 solar panels installed at the 47-hectare Speyslaw site – the equivalent of about 40 football pitches – with a substation, 20 inverter stations and CCTV.

The largest Scottish solar farm is currently a 13MW project at Errol Estate in Perthshire, which went live in May last year.

Bristol-based Elgin Energy also developed that scheme, which includes 55,000 solar panels capable of generating power for more than 3,500 homes.

The local authority said all the cabling will be underground, meaning sheep will still be able to graze around the panels. No trees, hedges or woodland will be removed.

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Councillor Claire Feaver, chairwoman of Moray Council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, believes the development will benefit the community and respect the local environment.

She said: “A significant amount of renewable energy will be generated by this solar farm over the next 30 years.

“The opportunity to continue grazing on the land, together with the habitat management plan, will maintain and enhance the diverse range of species in and around the site.

“I see this as a win-win.”

Elgin Energy has already developed 24 solar projects in the UK and Ireland Permission for the solar farm is valid for 30 years, after which the developer will have one year to decommission the works and restore the site to a condition agreed with the council.

A habitat management plan must also be approved by the council before works can begin.

A spokesman for Elgin Energy said: “Existing field boundaries will not be disturbed and mature hedgerows will provide generous screening for the site.

“We have contacted those neighbours in the immediate vicinity of the site and have offered to answer any queries that might arise.

“The land will remain in agricultural use in the form of sheep grazing while being used for the dual purpose of generating low-carbon renewable energy.”

Scottish Renewables welcomed news that the Speyslaw project had been given the go-ahead.

Policy manager Stephanie Clark said: “Large-scale solar has played a part in Scotland since 2005 and we are now beginning to see more applications for commercial projects coming forward. North east Scotland’s clear skies and longer daylight hours mean the area is attractive to developers.

“Large schemes like this one are able to use that resource to provide clean electricity which will help Scotland meet its climate change targets.

“Further progress in the solar sector, however, depends on the level of support provided by the UK Government through the Feed-in Tariff and the Contracts For Difference schemes, both of which remain the subject of much uncertainty.”

Elgin Energy is also planning an even bigger solar power farm for the area.

It is seeking planning permission for a 50MW project at the former RAF Milltown airfield, a few miles north east of Elgin.

A decision on that application is not expected until early next year.