ScottishPower has announced a new ‘hybrid strategy’ which will see the company construct solar projects for the first time.

The company says that in order to make the most of land resources and optimise connections the grid, it intends to add a mixture of solar and battery technology at existing windfarm sites, with the vast majority of future applications for new projects consisting of more than one clean energy technology.

Planning applications have already been submitted to add solar technology to the existing windfarms of Carland Cross (Cornwall), Coal Clough (Lancashire) and Coldham (Cambridgeshire) that will, if passed, allow the construction of large energy sites such as the ‘super battery’ currently being constructed at the Whitelee wind farm near Glasgow.

Speaking at COP25, Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower said: "Every green megawatt of electricity will be crucial if we stand any chance of hitting net-zero in 2050, so innovation from energy companies is more important than ever. This means squeezing the absolute maximum potential out of every clean energy project that we consider.

"In the UK and Ireland the perfect of blend of clean power from onshore renewables should include a mixture of clean energy technologies. The costs for building wind, solar and batteries have reduced considerably in recent years, and they complement each other very well. They perform best at different times of the day and at different times of the year.”

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