WELCOME

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about our plans for land to the North, South and East of Hurworth Bryan Farm, Trimdon Colliery.

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WELCOME

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about our proposals for land to the North, South and East of Hurworth Bryan Farm, Trimdon Colliery.

Voltis is bringing forward plans for a new solar farm, and battery energy storage system (BESS). The project will also deliver a new substation that will be located on land to the North East of Red Hall Farm, Ferryhill. Together, these will generate home-grown electricity and support a more flexible and resilient electricity network.

Alongside delivering much-needed renewable energy, the proposals have been designed to deliver lasting benefits for the local area through investment, job creation, continued agricultural use of the land and enhancements to habitats and biodiversity.

Our public consultation is now open until Sunday 27th of September, and we want to hear your views. You can find out more about the proposals on this website, complete our online feedback form below and attend our public consultation event to speak with the project team and share your feedback.

Your comments will help shape our proposals around local priorities before we submit a planning application to Durham County Council.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Voltis is proposing a new 99.9MW solar farm with 100MW of battery energy storage, connected to a substation via underground cable.

The underground cable route will form part of a separate planning application in co-ordination with the Distribution Network Operator. This will be supported by its own programme of stakeholder and community engagement, ensuring those with an interest in the cable route have dedicated opportunities to learn more about the proposals and provide feedback as they develop.

The solar farm will generate renewable electricity from the sun, while the BESS will store electricity when generation is high and release it when demand increases, helping to create a more secure electricity network.

Indicative masterplan of the solar farm and BESS.

Indicative masterplan of the substation.

Location of the proposed solar farm and BESS.

Location of the proposed substation.

Proposed construction route for the solar farm and BESS.

Proposed construction route for the substation.

HOW THE ENERGY PARK WILL WORK

Click for more information.

Solar Panels

Solar Panels

Solar panels capture energy from sunlight and convert it into electricity. The electricity generated is then passed through inverters.

Inverters

Inverters

Inverters convert the direct current electricity into alternating current, which is the type of electricity used by homes and businesses.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

BESS stores electricity when renewable generation is high and releases it when demand increases.

Transformers

Transformers

Transformers increase the voltage of the electricity so it can travel efficiently through the network.

Underground Cabling

Underground Cabling

Electricity is then transported through underground cables, before reaching the substation.

Distribution

Distribution

Energy will be distributed to homes across County Durham. Our site will generate enough electricity to power approximately 37,000 homes a year.

CONSIDERATIONS

The proposals have been developed to generate much-needed renewable energy while minimising effects on the surrounding area.

Supporting Farming

The land is currently used for farming and sheep grazing, and our plans have been designed so this can continue. Sheep will be able to graze beneath and around the solar panels throughout the lifetime of the project, allowing farming and renewable energy generation to work alongside one another.

Enhancing Nature

The proposals include opportunities to improve biodiversity across the site, from new planting, habitat creation, strengthened hedgerows and other measures to support local wildlife. The project will deliver at least a 10% boost in biodiversity, with ongoing ecological surveys helping to identify opportunities for further environmental enhancements.

Improving Local Access

The project also provides an opportunity to improve existing Public Rights of Way that cross the site. We are keen to hear from local communities about how these routes could be enhanced, whether through improved accessibility, management or other measures that would make them more welcoming and enjoyable to use.

Looking After the Land

We aim to minimise long-term impacts on the land. Following construction, areas affected by the underground cable route will be carefully reinstated.

Subject to planning approval, the Energy Park would operate for 45 years. Once it reaches the end of its operational life, the site would be decommissioned and the land restored to agricultural use, to a quality of at least its original condition.

BENEFITS FOR COUNTY DURHAM AND THE WIDER AREA

Voltis’ proposals will deliver benefits both locally and nationally, helping to strengthen energy security while supporting investment, biodiversity and communities across County Durham.

Supporting UK Energy Independence

The UK has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As electricity demand continues to grow, increasing the supply of renewable energy will be essential to maintain a reliable, resilient electricity system.

Recent global events have highlighted the importance of a secure energy supply. By generating more electricity from renewable sources here in the UK, our proposals will help strengthen the country’s energy security, reducing reliance on imported energy and helping to create a more stable electricity system that is less exposed to international market pressures and geopolitical uncertainty.

As one of the lowest-cost forms of new electricity generation, solar power can also help deliver reliable, home-grown energy while supporting the transition to a cleaner and more affordable electricity system.

Supporting the Local Economy

 
By prioritising local procurement wherever practical, Voltis will seek to create opportunities for local businesses, contractors and suppliers, while engaging with colleges and training providers to support local skills. Further information on employment, training and supply chain opportunities will be shared as the proposals progress.

Keeping Land Productive

Voltis has designed the proposals to allow sheep grazing to continue alongside renewable energy generation, ensuring the land remains productive throughout the lifetime of the project.

Unlike permanent development, the Energy Park is a temporary use of the land. Once the project reaches the end of its operational life, the intention is for the land to be restored to its original state.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND

Voltis is committed to ensuring local communities benefit from renewable energy projects.

A Community Benefit Fund will be created as part of the proposals, with funding available to provide long-term investment in the communities closest to the development.

This can be used to support:

Local energy discount scheme (credit for your energy bills)

Community facilities

Local groups and organisations

Education and skills initiatives

Projects that support wellbeing and connectivity

Environmental improvements

We want the fund to reflect local priorities and would like you to decide on how it could best support the area.

Complete our survey to share your views on how the fund could best support the community and help shape the types of projects and initiatives it could support.

VIRTUAL EXHIBITION

HAVE YOUR SAY

We would like to hear your views on our proposals.

Our public consultation period will run from Tuesday 1st September to Sunday 27th of September 2026 to provide an opportunity for the local community to find out more about the project, ask questions and share feedback.

We want to make it easy for you to share your thoughts and ask questions, so join us in person:

  • Trimdon Station Community Centre, Station Road W, Trimdon Station, TS29 6BS
  • Thursday 10th September 2026, 3-7pm

Share your feedback by completing our survey below:

Q5. The proposals will include measures to improve biodiversity in the area. How important are the following aspects of the proposal to you?
The information you provide will be used by Voltis and may be shared with the Local Planning Authority as part of the planning process. If you provide your contact details, we may use them to contact you about the proposals. Your personal information will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 and will not be published. By submitting this form, you consent to your information being used in this way.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Your views will help inform the continued development of the proposals and will be considered alongside ongoing technical assessments and stakeholder engagement.

You can also get in touch with the project team by:

  • Calling our community information line on: 0333 3580648 (Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 5.30pm)
  • Emailing us with your comments, questions or feedback at: hurworthenergypark@havingyoursay.co.uk
  • Writing to: FREEPOST SHAPE TOMORROW

All feedback received will be carefully considered as the proposals continue to develop. A Statement of Community Involvement will be submitted alongside the planning application, setting out the engagement undertaken and how feedback has been considered.

ABOUT VOLTIS

Voltis develops renewable energy projects across the UK, helping to deliver the transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.

Since forming in 2019, Voltis has built a team with extensive experience in renewable energy development and is committed to delivering projects that balance energy generation with environmental and community considerations.

We believe renewable energy projects should provide benefits for both the UK’s energy future and the communities where they are located.

Find out more about Voltis via our website: www.voltis.co.uk.

Voltis is committed to protecting your personal data. The information you provide in this feedback form will be used solely for the purpose of analysing community views on Hurworth Energy Park.Your responses will be anonymised when reported and included within a Statement of Community Involvement submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Personal details (such as name, postcode, or email address) will not be shared publicly.

If you choose to provide your contact details, these will only be used to keep you informed about the progress of the proposals. You can opt out of updates at any time by contacting us at hurworthenergypark@havingyoursay.co.uk.

All data will be stored securely in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. By submitting this form, you consent to your information being used in this way.