Voltis has launched a public consultation on proposals for Hurworth Energy Park, a new solar farm of up to 99.9MW (AC) with up to 100MW of battery energy storage on land to the north, south and east of Hurworth Bryan Farm, Trimdon Colliery. The project will also include a new substation on land to the north east of Red Hall Farm, Ferryhill.
The proposals are at pre-application stage. No planning application has been submitted. Two EIA Screening Requests were submitted to Durham County Council in August 2026 in respect of the solar and battery storage site (Land to the North, South and East of Hurworth Bryan Farm, Trimdon Colliery TS28 5ND) and the substation (Land to the North East of Red Hall Farm, Ferryhill DL17 8RT).
The proposals would generate enough home-grown electricity to power approximately 37,000 homes and support a more flexible and resilient electricity network. Sheep grazing, which currently takes place on part of the land, would continue beneath and around the solar panels across the majority of the site.
Building Hurworth Energy Park will create around 155 construction jobs on site over the 18-month build, with about 134 of those expected to go to people already living in County Durham, plus roughly £0.6 million spent in local shops, cafés, pubs and accommodation and around £450,000 every year in business rates for the county once the park is running. Across the wider economy the scheme is expected to support a further 174 jobs and generate about £22.2 million of economic activity during construction.
The project would also deliver at least a 10% boost in biodiversity through measures including new planting, habitat creation and strengthened hedgerows.
A spokesperson for Voltis said:
“Hurworth Energy Park represents an opportunity to generate more home-grown electricity while delivering benefits for the local area.
“We would encourage people to come along to our consultation event to meet the project team and share their views. Feedback from the community will help us shape the proposals before we submit separate planning applications for the solar and battery energy storage site and for the substation to Durham County Council.”
The public consultation will run until Sunday 27 September 2026, with leaflets in the process of being delivered to local residents and an in-person event taking place:
- Trimdon Station Community Centre, Station Road W, Trimdon Station, TS29 6BS
- Thursday 10th September 2026, 3-7pm
Local residents, businesses and organisations can attend to view the proposals, speak to the project team and provide feedback.
To find out more about the proposals and complete the consultation survey, visit www.hurworthenergypark.co.uk.
Alternatively, contact the project team on 0333 358 0648, email hurworthenergypark[@]havingyoursay[.]co[.]uk or write to FREEPOST SHAPE TOMORROW.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
