Consultation on plans for Shepway Energy Park launched

• SSE Renewables launches first consultation on Shepway Energy Park
• Solar and Battery project could be operational by 2033 supporting UK’s energy security needs
• SSE committed to investing in clean energy solutions for everyone’s future

SSE has announced plans for its Shepway Energy Park project in Romney Marsh, Kent. The proposed solar and battery development will generate enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately 73,000 homes – that is just over 10% of all homes in Kent – saving on average 49,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

SSE is an experienced developer and energy producer – having operated the Medway Power Station since 1995. As the UK’s leading developer of renewable energy generation, SSE is proud of its commitment to positively contributing to the social, environmental and economic well-being of local communities it operates within.

The project is located over six sites to the north and east of the village of Newchurch, with the project being located across both Ashford Borough and Folkestone and Hythe District.

SSE are committed to achieving meaningful engagement with local communities. Its first public consultation on the project opened today, 28 May, to gather views from the community and others who may be interested in the project.

Shepway Energy Park offers an exciting opportunity to deliver home-grown renewable energy production that not only helps the UK meet its net zero target but provides much need resilience to the UK’s energy systems and security. It is hoped that the project could be in operation by 2033.

Though still at an early stage of development, SSE want to hear from local communities, businesses and interested parties on its initial proposals and help shape the project from an early stage in the design process.

Haveer Dookhit, Senior Project Development Manager at SSE Renewables explains:

“We know energy security and climate change are two of the biggest threats our society faces. We need to act now, by investing in clean energy solutions for everyone’s future.

“Understanding the views of local people who live, and work nearby will be key to helping us shape this project.

“Our proposals for Shepway Energy Park will not only help generate more renewable power in the UK and make a significant contribution towards meeting net zero targets but also deliver against local priorities around tackling climate change and generating more electricity from renewable sources.

“We look forward to this opportunity to engage with the local community on our plans during this consultation and encourage those interested locally to attend one of our three upcoming consultation drop-in events and feedback to this consultation.”

The consultation is open for just over six weeks until 13 July. SSE will be holding three consultation events in the area in June.

After the consultation, we’ll carefully consider all the feedback we receive, alongside data from our ongoing environmental surveys to inform the projects development. As the project progresses, we’ll continue to engage locally and there will be other opportunities to provide comments, including a further statutory public consultation, to inform the design for Shepway Energy Park.

To find out more about the project, visit: www.sserenewables.com/shepway

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Due to its size and energy contribution, Shepway Energy Park is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. It will require an application for development consent to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, with the consent determined by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband.

The consultation opens on 28 May and runs until 23:59 on 13 July 2025. People can take part in the following ways:

• Online: complete and submit a feedback form on the Shepway Energy Park website: www.sserenewables.com/shepway
• Email: email your feedback to [email protected]
• Freepost: post a hard copy feedback form or a written response to Freepost SHEPWAY ENERGY PARK (no stamp required)

To find out more about the project and the consultation, please visit  www.sserenewables.com/shepway, or call 01233 429013 to talk to a member of the team.

Consultation events will be held in Newchurch and Dymchurch, which will provide the opportunity to talk to the team and find out more. Details of events can be found below, or on the project website at www.sserenewables.com/shepway.