Overview
Tilmanstone Colliery is a 10 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, owned by Ovenden Plant Hire Limited. It is operational and contributes to the country's renewable energy capacity.
Tilmanstone Colliery is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with an installed capacity of 10 megawatts (MW). The plant is owned by Ovenden Plant Hire Limited and is currently operational, adding to the UK's growing portfolio of solar energy assets. The facility operates under the UK's regulatory framework for renewable energy, which includes the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewable Obligation (RO) program. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and at 10 MW, this plant falls into the medium-scale category for UK solar installations, typical of ground-mounted arrays on former industrial sites. Tilmanstone Colliery's location on a former colliery site represents a productive reuse of brownfield land, aligning with environmental goals of land restoration and clean energy generation. The plant contributes to the UK's target of net-zero emissions by 2050 and supports local grid stability with renewable power.
Environmental context
The plant is situated on a former coal mining site, which has been repurposed for solar energy generation. This conversion reduces land-use impact by utilizing previously disturbed land rather than greenfield sites. Solar PV installations like this one help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, though they require careful siting to avoid ecological disruption. The UK's temperate climate provides moderate solar irradiance, making such projects viable with modern panel efficiency.
Frequently asked questions
Tilmanstone Colliery is located in the United Kingdom, at coordinates 51.209800 N, 1.276400 E, near the village of Tilmanstone in Kent.
The Tilmanstone Colliery solar plant has a capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar PV installation.
The facility is owned by Ovenden Plant Hire Limited, a company based in the United Kingdom.
Solar energy in the UK is supported by the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme and the Renewable Obligation (RO) program, which provide financial incentives for renewable generation.
By generating clean electricity from solar power, Tilmanstone Colliery helps reduce carbon emissions and supports the UK's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.