New law restricts commercial solar parks on farmland

The House plenary on Thursday passed a law aiming to curb the granting of permits for commercial solar parks, in a stated bid to protect arable land as well as conservation areas from the encroachment of these facilities.

The bill – drafted by three Akel MPs – passed unanimously.

The granting of permits for solar parks is now prohibited in five cases.

Firstly, where the land is of “a high natural value”. Secondly, on arable or permanently irrigated land. Thirdly, on land designated as irrigated...