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Released July 23, 2024 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The U.K.'s new government has continued its rapid support for renewable energy by approving three massive solar farm projects that were denied planning permission by the previous Tory government.
Just weeks after taking power, the Labour-led government has given the green light to three projects with a combined generating capacity of more than 1.3 gigawatts (GW): the Gate Burton project in Lincolnshire, the Sunnica Solar Farm on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border and the Mallard Pass project in Rutland and Lincolnshire. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said that the combined projects will produce enough power for more than 400,000 homes and represent a 10% addition to current solar capacity. The 500-megawatt (MW) Sunnica project also includes the installation of a battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure for connection to the national grid.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Solar power is crucial to achieving net zero, providing an abundant source of cleaner, cheaper energy on the mission towards 2030. Some of these cases had been held up for months before I arrived in the department. They were put on my desk on Monday and I've made a decision in three days. This is the speed we're working at to achieve energy independence, cut bills for families and kickstart green economic growth. We will make tough decisions with ambition and urgency - all part of our plan to make the U.K. a clean energy superpower."
In addition, the government has promised a "rooftop revolution" that will see millions more homes fitted with solar panels in a drive to lower domestic energy bills and boost the country's green energy transition. Miliband said: "I want to unleash a U.K. solar rooftop revolution. We will encourage builders and homeowners in whatever way we can to deliver this win-win technology to millions of addresses in the U.K. so people can provide their own electricity, cut their bills and at the same time help fight climate change." Industrial Info is tracking more than 540 planned U.K. solar projects worth almost $40 billion in investment. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.
The decision comes just a week after the new government reversed a long-standing ban on the building of onshore windfarms. The repeal of the nine-year ban, described as "absurd" by new Chancellor Rachel Reeves, will also be backed by the possibility that large onshore projects could be classed as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), which would allow the government to approve projects quickly without local council approval. For additional information, see July 17, 2024, article - U.K. Drops Onshore Wind Ban, but Oil & Gas Sector Worried.
The government's solar drive has been welcomed by energy companies and industry groups. "We are delighted that the new Secretary of State has just approved three nationally significant solar farms, in his first week in office," said Chris Hewett, chief executive of trade association Solar Energy U.K.. "This is just the kind of clear leadership that will increase investor confidence and show that Britain is serious about tackling the climate emergency with the urgency that is needed."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
Just weeks after taking power, the Labour-led government has given the green light to three projects with a combined generating capacity of more than 1.3 gigawatts (GW): the Gate Burton project in Lincolnshire, the Sunnica Solar Farm on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border and the Mallard Pass project in Rutland and Lincolnshire. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said that the combined projects will produce enough power for more than 400,000 homes and represent a 10% addition to current solar capacity. The 500-megawatt (MW) Sunnica project also includes the installation of a battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure for connection to the national grid.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Solar power is crucial to achieving net zero, providing an abundant source of cleaner, cheaper energy on the mission towards 2030. Some of these cases had been held up for months before I arrived in the department. They were put on my desk on Monday and I've made a decision in three days. This is the speed we're working at to achieve energy independence, cut bills for families and kickstart green economic growth. We will make tough decisions with ambition and urgency - all part of our plan to make the U.K. a clean energy superpower."
In addition, the government has promised a "rooftop revolution" that will see millions more homes fitted with solar panels in a drive to lower domestic energy bills and boost the country's green energy transition. Miliband said: "I want to unleash a U.K. solar rooftop revolution. We will encourage builders and homeowners in whatever way we can to deliver this win-win technology to millions of addresses in the U.K. so people can provide their own electricity, cut their bills and at the same time help fight climate change." Industrial Info is tracking more than 540 planned U.K. solar projects worth almost $40 billion in investment. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.
The decision comes just a week after the new government reversed a long-standing ban on the building of onshore windfarms. The repeal of the nine-year ban, described as "absurd" by new Chancellor Rachel Reeves, will also be backed by the possibility that large onshore projects could be classed as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), which would allow the government to approve projects quickly without local council approval. For additional information, see July 17, 2024, article - U.K. Drops Onshore Wind Ban, but Oil & Gas Sector Worried.
The government's solar drive has been welcomed by energy companies and industry groups. "We are delighted that the new Secretary of State has just approved three nationally significant solar farms, in his first week in office," said Chris Hewett, chief executive of trade association Solar Energy U.K.. "This is just the kind of clear leadership that will increase investor confidence and show that Britain is serious about tackling the climate emergency with the urgency that is needed."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
