5 MW Solar Farm delivering renewable power and airport carbon reduction for Cornwall Council
Project Snapshot
| Project Detail | Information |
| Client | Solar Century / Cornwall Council |
| Location | Kernow Solar Park, St Mawgan, near Newquay Airport, Cornwall |
| Installed Capacity | 5 MW |
| Project Duration | 2012 |
| Services | Electrical Infrastructure, Balance of Plant, Grid Connection, Private Wire |
| Market Sector | Solar / Renewable Energy |
| Powersystems Role | HV design, installation, testing, commissioning and WPD now NGED interface |
| As a Lloyd’s NERS‑registered Independent Connection Provider, Powersystems has delivered high‑voltage infrastructure for solar farms across the UK, supporting grid connections and private‑wire solutions for commercial and public‑sector clients. |
Kernow 1.5 MW Solar Farm Case Study
Download the full Kernow Solar Park Case Study — designed for engineers, developers and technical stakeholders seeking detailed insight into the design and delivery of the 5 MW solar farm in Cornwall. This expanded summary provides a comprehensive overview of the high‑voltage 11 kV grid connection, the private‑wire network supplying Cornwall Airport Newquay, and the full scope of HV design, installation, testing and commissioning undertaken by Powersystems. It outlines how the project enabled renewable energy export into the Western Power Distribution network while simultaneously supporting airport operations with a direct low‑carbon power supply.
Client Background
Solar Century and Cornwall Council partnered to develop the 5 MW Kernow Solar Park, supporting the region’s “Green Cornwall” strategy. The project was intended not only to export renewable energy to the national grid, but also to supply clean power directly to Cornwall Airport Newquay, reducing operational carbon emissions and energy costs.
The solar park sits near the airport boundary and was designed as a flagship scheme to demonstrate Cornwall Council’s commitment to sustainable, low‑carbon infrastructure.
The Challenge
The client required a complete 11 kV electrical infrastructure solution that:
- Exported power into the Western Power Distribution (WPD) 11 kV network
- Provided a private wire connection directly to Newquay Airport
- Reduced the airport’s carbon footprint as part of the ACI Carbon Accreditation Scheme
- Supported Cornwall Council’s target to cut emissions equivalent to 5% of its organisational footprint
- Ensured compliant design approvals from WPD for both grid and private‑wire elements
Powersystems were appointed to deliver all electrical works, interface with WPD, and manage all HV construction, installation and commissioning activities.
Our Engineering Solution
Powersystems delivered the full electrical infrastructure and grid connection works for the solar park, including:
- 11 kV cable installation between Solar Farm and Newquay Airport substation
- Installation of an 11 kV ring main unit and associated GRP substation building
- Construction of a substation base and HV trenching works
- Supply, installation and commissioning of Elster A1700 metering
- Extension works to the Newquay Airport HV Airfield Ring switchboard, including import metering
- Full testing and commissioning of all HV equipment
- Provision of design documentation, engineering drawings and as‑installed records
- SAP oversight for all HV acceptance, safety documents and energisation
The private‑wire 11 kV connection linked the airport ring switchboard directly to the North Site 1.5 MW inverter station, enabling clean power to flow directly into airport operations.
Project Process
- Early consultation with Cornwall Council, Solar Century and WPD
- WPD design approval and private‑wire feasibility
- Substation base construction and GRP building installation
- 11 kV cabling design, installation, jointing and terminations
- Switchgear, transformer and metering installation
- HV testing, commissioning and energisation
- Full documentation and project close‑out
Project Facts & Figures
- Installed Capacity: 5 MW
- Solar Farm Voltage: 11 kV
- Connection Voltage: 11 kV
- Length of 11 kV Cabling: 5 km
- Private Wire Capacity: up to 6.7 MW
- NERS Accredited ICP: Yes
Technical Specifications
Major Electrical Installations
- 11 kV ring main unit
- GRP substation building
- 11 kV cabling and terminations
- Elster A1700 tariff metering system
- HV extension to Newquay Airport Airfield switchboard
- Private wire connection to North Site 1.5 MW solar array
- HV trenching, civil base preparation and earthing works
Design & Engineering Outputs
- HV interface with WPD
- Substation civil design
- Cable sizing and loss calculations
- Protection scheme settings
- As‑built records and commissioning documentation
Partnerships
The project was delivered in partnership with:
- Solar Century – solar EPC lead (Now Statkraft)
- Cornwall Council – client and landowner
- Cornwall Airport Newquay – embedded private‑wire offtaker
- Western Power Distribution – DNO approval and energisation (Now NGED)
The private‑wire arrangement supports ongoing renewable supply to the airport, with potential to increase delivery up to 6.7 MW in future.
Environmental Considerations
- Generation of low‑carbon electricity
- Reduction in Cornwall Airport’s operational carbon footprint
- Supports the “Green Cornwall” strategy
- Enables progress toward ACI Carbon Accreditation
- Renewable power equivalent to the annual consumption of up to 1,500 homes
Economic & Social Value
- Direct supply to the airport at a reduced tariff (15% discount)
- Local material procurement where possible
- Utilisation of regional contractors and labour
- Long‑term energy cost savings for Cornwall Council
- Enhanced resilience through dual export and private‑wire operation
The Results
The Kernow Solar Park was completed on time in 2012. Powersystems successfully delivered all HV design, installation, testing and commissioning works, providing both grid‑connected and private‑wire infrastructure for Cornwall Council.
The project delivered long‑term carbon savings, operational efficiencies for Newquay Airport, and demonstrably advanced the region’s renewable energy strategy.
Related Projects
- Corner Copse Solar
- Crimscote Solar
- Tolldish Solar
- Rag Lane Solar
- Perrinpit Solar
- South Fambridge Hall Solar Farm
Powersystems deliver specialist high voltage services for solar, storage and renewable energy projects across the UK.
Speak to our engineering team to support your next grid connection or private‑wire scheme.