U.K. Permits Next Major Solar Power Project

Summary

The U.K government is following through on its ambitious solar power and renewables push with permission granted for the country's second-largest planned solar photovoltaic (PV) project.

The U.K.'s Big Solar Drive

The U.K. government has given the green light to the country's second-largest planned solar farm as it pursues an aggressive renewable energy strategy.

Permission has been granted for the Tillbridge Solar Farm project near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, which will have a generating capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) and generate enough power for roughly 300,000 homes. Developers Tribus Clean Energy (London) and Recurrent Energy (London) are also planning to install a 250-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) on the same site. The solar farm will be located on 3,000 acres of land with grid connection expected in 2028. The project is recognised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which allowed it to bypass local planning requirements and helped fast-track its approval. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, it is the 17th major clean energy project approved by the Labour-led government since taking power in July 2024.

Need for Cheaper Power

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: "Families across Lincolnshire and the rest of the country have seen their energy bills go through the roof as a result of our exposure to volatile gas prices. Solar is one of the cheapest and quickest power sources we can build, it is crucial in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower -- giving us energy security, good jobs and growth across the country." Industrial Info is tracking more than 650 solar power projects in the U.K. with a combined investment total of US$43 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

Positive Industry Reaction

The Tillbridge permit was welcomed by the country's leading industry association, Solar Energy U.K.. "We all need cheaper power," Chief Executive Chris Hewett told Renew.biz. "It is quite clear that solar farms are the cheapest source of electricity in the U.K.. The larger they are, the more they benefit from economies of scale. Critically, they produce home-grown clean energy, displacing expensive and polluting natural gas from the grid. The area needed to deliver the U.K.'s solar aspirations over the coming years is a tiny fraction of agricultural land that will have no meaningful impact on food production. "Indeed, solar farms are helping to keep farmers growing food by delivering a stable and reliable income, protected from the vagaries of market conditions and adverse weather."

The U.K.'s Ambitious Solar Targets

In July, the government revealed plans to more than double solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to 45-47 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. In May, the country's total solar capacity stood at 18.9 GW. It estimates that solar energy could power about 9 million homes by 2030, up from 2 million currently, and would require up to 0.4% of total U.K. land to deliver that amount. However, to reach those figures annual installations will have to grow from around 1.5 GW in the 12 months to May, to more than 4.7 GW per annum by 2030. In order to get there, the government has proposed planning reforms including doubling the threshold for nationally significant solar projects to 100 megawatts (MW), up from 50 MW, faster planning approvals and grid connections and a push for more solar on commercial properties. There is also a plan to supercharge the rooftop solar sector with the Future Home initiative coming in the autumn which will see solar panels provided on most new homes as standard.

By the Numbers

• 45-47 gigawatts: U.K.'s ambitious solar capacity target for 2030
• 18.9 gigawatts: U.K.'s current solar capacity
• 650: The number of solar projects in the U.K. being tracked by Industrial Info

Key Takeaways

• U.K. permits second largest planned solar power project - 500 megawatts
• Government determined to double current solar capacity by 2030

About Industrial Info Resources

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).