Infinis Solar Developments Limited is part of the Infinis Group.

Infinis is the UK’s leading generator of low carbon power from captured methane. We capture methane gas from landfill sites and disused coal mines and convert it to electricity. In 2023-24, we captured more than 500,000 tonnes of methane to generate renewable power.

Our sustainable energy expertise includes solar power and battery energy storage technology. This work helps to reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change, and provides secure, efficient local power generation.

Positive impact
Health, safety and environmental protection is the foundation of our business. Infinis was awarded its 16^th consecutive RoSPA Gold Award in 2024, along with the British Safety Council safety award.
We care about being a good neighbour and giving back to local communities where Infinis operates. Our business has provided funds and employee volunteering time to support more than 150 local and national charities across the UK.

Infinis will meet the commitments that Taiyo (the former project owner) made to the local community.
We welcome ongoing conversations with local people and groups, to understand how we can best support the community as a good neighbour into the future.

Why build Ford Oaks Solar Park?
The UK Net Zero Strategy proposes that by 2035, the UK will be powered entirely by clean electricity. This strategy will:

• Eliminate carbon emissions from power generation
• Provide more security over energy supplies
• Help reduce and stabilise energy prices.

East Devon District Council declared a climate emergency on 10 July 2019. Its Climate Change Strategy seeks to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions each year, and to be carbon neutral by 2040. Ford Oaks Solar Park will help to contribute to local climate change targets.

Ford Oaks Solar Park will export clean energy to the local grid network. The park will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of around 10,100 average family homes. This will displace more than 4,950 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, compared to grid electricity from the current UK generation mix that includes fossil fuel generation.

Development overview
The previous project owner, Taiyo, conducted public consultation around the scheme design, with the aim of protecting and conserving local interests and amenities. Key points from the consultation which affect Ford Oaks Solar Park are listed below.

CONSTRUCTION

• Escorted convoys from an off-site reception compound will maximise road traffic safety

• Construction will take around 12 months
• Construction traffic routes have been agreed with Devon County Council Highways and discussed with the parish councils

OPERATION

• Ford Oaks Solar Park will operate for 40 years
• There will be limited vehicles to and from the site while it operates. Site visits and traffic are intended to maintain equipment, and manage the landscape/ecology
• The development will not generate significant noise or emissions
• The development has been designed to minimise glint or glare from the modules affecting residents, road users or the air traffic control tower at Exeter Airport
• The facility will include natural drainage measures which will improve on the existing situation – and reduce flows both leaving the fields onto local lanes and flowing lower down the catchment

Three major benefits support development of Ford Oaks Solar Park:

• The development will generate zero carbon power for around 10,100 local homes
• By developing additional areas of habitat through our green infrastructure plan, Ford Oaks Solar Park will create more diverse habitats for local wildlife
• The development will reduce reliance on imported energy sources, increasing security of supply and guarding against volatile energy prices.

The project will contribute significantly towards UK decarbonisation and energy security. It will also make a positive impact on biodiversity, reflected in several green infrastructure improvements:

• Tree and hedgerow planting
• An estimated 121% increase in biodiversity net gains for the habitats and ecology networks – helping to increase wildlife in the valley
• Surface water management measures which will reduce previous flooding problems on local lanes and in local villages.

Find out more about biodiversity net gain and solar development